Man with collection of child abuse images is spared prison sentence
A married dad who was caught with a collection of child abuse images at his home has been spared jail.
BrianMerryweatherwasalso found in possession of one extremepornographicpicture after officers raided his home in June 2020.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the offending began in August 2017 after he essentially became confined to being at home as his wife went to work.
Prosecutor Sherif said: "On June 11, 2020 police officersfromthepaedophileonline investigations team attended the defendant's home to execute a search warrant at the premises.
"A total of 14 devices were found, including memory sticks and an Acer computer tower.
"They were sent for a forensicexaminationandtheimages were found to be on these devices,inparticularonedevice."
Thecourtheard46category A images were found, 18 in category B, and 15 in category C, depicting children aged from four to 14-years-old.
The 60-year-old, of The Anchorage, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornography image.
Ms Sherif added that Merryweather has seven previous convictions on his record, but none for anything of this type.
Jennifer Coxon, mitigating, said the defendant had lost some contact with family members since the offending came to light.
MsCoxonadded:"It'ssomething he deeply regrets now.
"Whilst this currently crosses the custodial threshold, I would ask to step back from an immediate custodial sentence.Heacknowledgeshe deserves punishment."
MsRecorderGeraldineKelly told Merryweather: "Courts viewthesecasesveryseriously because, in order for the imagestobemade,childrenmustbe sexually abused.
"The offences are aggravatedbythehighvolumeofimages youhadinyourpossessionand the fact there were moving imagesyouhadinyourcollection.
"The pre-sentence report doescontainthefactyouareremorseful and you accept what you have done.”
However, the judge sentenced Merryweather to 16 months behind bars, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and afour-monthelectricallymonitored tag.
He must also abide by a sexualharmpreventionorderand the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.