IT manager jailed for downloading images

A former IT manager has been jailed for downloading images of child sex abuse.

Stephen Edwards, 59, trawled the web for the images while holding down a job as IT administrator at Malton Foods.

Police raided his home in the Scarborough area in December 2014 and visited his workplace after illegal downloads had been traced to his computer IP address, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Aisha Wadoodi said Edwards, now of The Avenue, Pateley Bridge, had sole responsibility for maintaining the firm’s computer systems at the food-manufacturing factory in Malton.

Unbeknownst to his bosses, Edwards – who had a personal as well as administrative account on his laptop – had used the former account to download and store illicit images.

Edwards, who lost his job after the offences came to light, had 184 indecent images on his computer equipment which he had downloaded over a fouryear period between August 2009 and October 2013.

Ms Wadoodi added that Edwards, a married grandfather, had started work as IT manager at the food firm in July 2012 and had his own back office where police seized his laptop.

Police found dozens of childporn shots on the laptop which had been stored in files next to desktop folders containing Edwards’ CV and bills, said Ms Wadoodi.

They found another document called ‘What would you say?’, in relation to what Edwards intended to tell police if they came snooping on his online activities.

The case was listed for trial in January, but Edwards pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making or possessing indecent images involving children.

Defence barrister Taryn Turner said Edwards’ fall from grace had “taken a toll not just on his own health but also on his family”.

Judge Robin Mairs said it was “abundantly clear” that Edwards had an unhealthy interest in pre-teen children, particularly “very young” girls.

Edwards was jailed for seven months and placed on the sexoffenders’ register for 10 years.

Mr Mairs also made a sexualharm prevention order.