Man who sent sick video avoids prison

A TEESSIDE man has escaped jail after admitting sending a video containing indecent images of a child to an unsuspecting woman.

Teesside Crown Court was told that the female was left shocked when she received the video from Alister Reid.

He admitted making an indecent image, distributing an indecent image, possession of a prohibited image and possession of extreme pornography.

Reid, 53, of Broughton Avenue, in Easterside, Middlesbrough, was visited by police in June last year after they got information that an indecent image had been downloaded off the internet.

They seized a number of electronic devices including mobile phones and a laptop.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said during discussions between the defendant and an adult female on WhatsApp he sent her the video which contained indecent images of a child aged between six and nine-years-old. Reid also had another image of a child aged between 13 and 15 years old.

The court was told that a detective had described it as one of the worst he had ever seen.

Jon Harley, defending, said Reid is the carer for his two adult sons, one with learning difficulties and the other with visual impairment.

He said: “His wife passed away in 2016 and as a result of that he developed depression, which was affecting him and the time of the committing of these offences.”

Mr Harley said Reid no longer visits the chat rooms he was visiting at the time this incident happened.

Judge Chris Smith said he had read the probation report and that the probation officer could see a glimmer of hope so far as rehabilitation is concerned.

Judge Smith said: “The moving image of a young child being sexually assaulted was sent by you to someone else. The people who collect child pornography, even a single image, are furthering the sexual abuse of a child at the other end of the camera.”

He said the woman who received the video from him was understandably shocked.

He said the distribution of child pornography is a very serious matter.

Judge Smith sentenced Reid to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to serve 25 RAR days and complete a sexual offender programme. Reid was also given a sexual harm prevention order of five years.