Dark web shame of bus driver
Pervert suspected of having 50,000 images
APERVERT who admitted to being a regular on the dark web is suspected of downloading around 50,000 indecent images of children.
James Raidy, 47, of Haslingden, had collected the pictures and videos over a period of eight years, Burnley Crown Court heard.
But he walked free from court because it was his first offence and he is considered at low risk of re-offending. The total number of images he was sentenced for was 842 but, prosecut- ing, Stephen Parker said the number estimated to be stored on his computers was 50,000.
Police had called at Raidy’s house, on Grane Road, in November last year in response to intelligence that indecent images had been downloaded.
APERVERT suspected of having around 50,000 indecent images of children admitted to being a regular on the dark web.
James Raidy, 47, of Haslingden, had collected pictures and videos over a period of eight years, Burnley Crown Court heard.
But he walked free after he was given a 20 month suspended jail sentence because it was his first offence and he is considered at low risk of reoffending.
Raidy had admitted five counts of making or possessing indecent images of children at a previous hearing.
The total number he was sentenced for was 842 but, prosecuting, Stephen Parker said the number estimated to be stored on his computers was 50,000.
Mr Parker said: “It becomes impossible, the analysis has to stop. The police stopped when they reached the number referred to ( 842).
“By the defendant’s own admission he was accessing the dark web, which takes some doing.”
Raidy was charged with possessing 483 category A images - the most serious, 190 category B and 169 category C.
These included pictures and videos as well as seven extreme images and five cartoon images.
Police had called at Raidy’s house, on Grane Road, in November last year in response to intelligence indecent images had been downloaded.
He told officers: “Yes I know about it, it is me. I go to the dark web it is all on the computer.”
Defending, Isobel Thomas said Raidy, a taxi and bus driver, had lost his job but had found another in a factory and was part of a close family.
She added: “His family is supportive, his dad is in court.
“His mum and sister have made it plain if something like this happens again their relationship is over.”
She added Raidy, who was also given 150 hours unpaid work and a 10- year sexual harm pre- vention order, was ashamed and remorseful.
In sentencing, Judge Andrew Woolman said: “Somewhere in the world young children are being abused by adults and images produced.
“In an indirect way you have been contributing to the abuse of children.”
But in suspending the sentence he added: “It is your first offence, you are considered to be a low risk and the probation service think they can work with you.”