Man found with abuse images
52-YEAR-OLD CAUGHT WITH THOUSANDS OF PICTURES AND VILE VIDEOS
A MAN was found with a vile collection of more than 3,000 indecent images of children when police searched his Northumberland home.
Christopher Cooper had the photos and movies, some of which were of the most serious category A kind, on a computer and mobile phone at his house in Stocksfield.
A court heard that specialist officers from Northumbria Police searched the 52-year-old’s address after concerns were raised that he was downloading the sick pictures on August 9 last year.
Numerous electrical devices were seized and interrogated and a total of 3,349 child abuse images and videos were discovered, prosecutors said.
Cooper, of Branch End Terrace, Stocksfield, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to four counts of making indecent images of children.
Laura Croft, prosecuting, said officers who searched Cooper’s address seized a number of electrical devices, including memory cards, a computer tower and a mobile phone.
“The seized items were then interrogated by police,” Miss Croft told magistrates.
“When examined, the mobile phone revealed 10 category C images and, on the computer, there was over 3,000 indecent images of children of all categories.
“The defendant enters guilty pleas and he made full admissions when he was interviewed by police by way of a prepared statement.”
The court heard that, in total, 2,559 category C, 335 category B and 455 category A photos and movies were found on Cooper’s computer and phone.
Ms Croft said that category A is the most serious kind and includes images involving penetrative sexual activity.
The prosecutor added: “There are a large volume of images, including moving images, which is an aggravating factor.
“The Crown would submit this is a case that should be sent to the crown court for sentence.”
Craig Hunn, mitigating, said full and “significant” mitigation would be made at the next hearing.
Magistrates released Cooper on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on May 9 for sentence.