Suspended sentence for indecent image charge

A PAEDOPHILE who kept indecent images of children as well as pictures of people performing sex acts with animals has avoided jail.

Kevin Castle, of Whitehall, Uxbridge, was charged with six counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of possessing indecent images of children, one count of possessing extreme graphic images and one allowed to lie one the file. The 50-year-old had admitted all the charges, which were made against him on June 5, 2014.

At Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (January 22), the prosecution told of how he had kept images on his computer of people performing sex acts on a horse, sheep and llama.

The former refuse collector was given a sentence of 18 months, reduced to 12 months, suspended for two years.

The judge also ordered debt-ridden Castle to carry out 100 hours of community service.

He was given a supervision requirement, ordered to destroy his computer and barred from working with children.

Before sentencing the judge said he considered the impact a jail term would have on his elderly mother, for whom Castle is a carer. He also said that because he had not viewed any images since 2012, had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty and shown remorse he would be spared jail.

The judge said: “I can consider what is the appropriate sentence because of the needs she (his mother) has from you. I do find that there is a low risk of reoffending.”