Man downloaded dozens of indecent images of children

A MAN who downloaded “extreme” pornography and dozens of indecent images of children as young as six has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Gregory Harrison was found to have four of the most serious Category A images on his computer, plus 12 Category B and 193 Category C.

Prosecutors said police attended his house on Dinas Street in Grangetown, Cardiff, at around 7.30am on November 28 last year.

Officers seized his computer, hard drive and tablet and arrested the defendant at Cardiff Central Station later that afternoon, when they also seized his phone.

His devices were analysed and found to contain Category A, B and C images, as well as 66 images of extreme pornography. Harrison also admitted distributing 16 Category C images. The court heard the children shown were aged between six and 16, mostly in their early teens.

Harrison, 47, accepted he was the only person who used those devices.

He pleaded guilty to six counts – three of possessing indecent images of children, two of possessing extreme pornography and one of distributing indecent images.

Claire Pickthall, defending, said her client had no relevant previous convictions. She said he had taken “practical steps” to address his addiction to the material.

The defence barrister added he had been “uncommonly frank” with the Probation Service.

She said: “He understands the damage caused by this industry.”

Judge Eleri Rees noted more than 200 offending images were found on his devices.

She imposed a two-year community order, requiring Harrison to complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity and 180 hours of unpaid work.

The judge also made a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told him to pay £535 in costs, plus an £85 victim surcharge.

An order was made for the computer, hard drive, tablet and phone to be destroyed.