Man had ‘most serious’ child images on laptop

A PERVERT caught with indecent images of children for the second time has been jailed.

Brian Milburn downloaded images and videos from a Canadian chat room on a laptop at his home.

Police traced his internet IP address and when they examined his computer they found the illegal material – including some of the most serious kind.

Milburn had already been dealt with in 2012 for distributing indecent images, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Now the 61-year-old, who has “served his country over a substantial period of time”, has been sent to prison for 12 months.

Prosecutor Mark Giuliani said: “The defendant was chatting, presumably with other like-minded men interested in this kind of offensive pornography of young children.

“The defendant claimed these were of children enjoying their holidays in a nature reserve. Clearly that can’t be the case.

“It’s often considered by those that carry out this kind of activity that no harm is done to anyone. That’s a complete and utter fallacy. Children abused to make these images are harmed.”

On a computer seized by police from Milburn’s home, they found 11 videos and four images in category A – the most serious type – as well as two videos and nine images in category B and four videos and 59 images in category C.

Milburn, of Castle Road, Prudhoe, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images of children.

As well as the 12-month prison sentence he must sign the sex offender register for 10 years and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

Judge Sarah Mallett said: “There is a relatively low volume of images, under 100, and you have, in the past, been a hard working individual.

“You served your country over a substantial period of time.

“You have had to leave the area as a result of your conviction.

“I’m asked to consider whether a community order would ensure the necessary work would be done with you. I also bear in mind you have ongoing mental health issues.

“I take the view I can’t properly impose a community order when this is your second appearance before the court. I have to look primarily at deterrence rather than rehabilitation at this time.

“For the same reason the sentence cannot be suspended. These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.”

Shaun Routledge, mitigating, said Milburn’s previous conviction in 2012 related to a “large number of distributions” but there was no distribution on this occasion.

Mr Routledge added: “In the past he has been a hard-working individual.” Brian Milburn was jailed for 12 months after admitting three offences of making indecent images of children when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court