The Chronicle

Prison for pervert who shared child sex images

POLICE FOUND 120 INDECENT PICTURES ON OFFENDER’S MOBILE PHONE

- Reporter By SARA NICHOL sara.nichol@ncjmedia.co.uk @SaraNichol­10

A CONVICTED sex offender who shared sick images of child abuse with other perverts on the internet has been jailed.

Liam Durnion sexually assaulted a woman in May 2016 by grabbing and kissing her on the lips as she waited at a bus stop, forcing her to bite him in a bid to get him off.

For that offence, the 22-year-old walked free from court but was made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

As part of that order, police officers attended his South Shields home later that year and, when asked about his mobile phone, he confessed “I may have images of children on it”, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The device was seized and, in total, 120 indecent photos and videos of youngsters – including 70 of the most serious kind were discovered.

Neil Pallister, prosecutin­g, told the court that Durnion had also used search phrases such as “underage rape fantasy stories” and “pre-teen incest” to find the sickening images.

A search of Durnion’s chat logs on social media site Kik revealed he had shared 14 pictures with three other users.

Mr Pallister added: “It became apparent from the inquiries conversati­ons had taken place between the parties and they had exchanged indecent images. “It was identified that the defendant had distribute­d 14 indecent images of children. They were located on the device associated with Kik messenger.” The court heard that the shared pictures showed females aged between six and 11 years old. Durnion, of Wosley Court, South Shields, pleaded guilty to one count of distributi­ng indecent images of three of making indecent images of children. Locking him up for 27 months, Judge Penny Moreland said: “Your position is worsened by the fact these offences were committed in breach of a community order imposed on July 5, 2016, for sexual assault.” Robin Turton, defending, said Durnion had shown his remorse in the “best way possible” by pleading guilty to the offences. He added: “He suffers from autism and ADHD and presents as immature. “He’s made considerab­le efforts to change his behaviour. He now has no mobile phone, he’s got no access to a computer and he doesn’t go out anymore, except with his father.” Durnion was also made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

It was identified that the defendant had distribute­d 14 indecent images of children located on the device associated with Kik messenger

 ??  ?? Liam Durnion
Liam Durnion

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