Pensioner threatened sex offence against child
A pensioner voyeur who served in the Armed Forces and the police was found with a sickening stash of indecent images.
Stephen Millett was at home with his wife when police turned up to arrest him after he suggested online he was going to commit a sex offence against a child.
The 67-year-old’s phone was searched and indecent images were discovered, alongside videos he had covertly filmed. He was found in possession of category A, B and C images.
Millett, of Morpeth, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for three counts of making indent images of children and one count of voyeurism, committed between 2021 and last year.
The court heard that the crimes came to light when police received information that Millett had suggested online that he was going to commit a sexual offence against a child. John Hobley, prosecuting, said: “Police went to the defendant’s address and found him with his wife.”
Mr Hobley told the court that three videos found “appeared to have been taken covertly”.
In total, 19 category A images were found, along with 13 category B images, and 17 category C images. One image involved an infant child, with others depicting children between the ages of four and six, the court was told.
Mr Hobley said that on the day of his arrest, Millett had been sending messages telling users he was going to commit a child sex offence.
The court heard that Millett had spent 22 years in the Armed Forces as a Warrant Officer, then entered the police service.
Nick Lane, defending, said Millett was of previous good character and that his behaviour was “out of character”. He said: “He knows he must be punished.”
Sentencing Millett, Recorder Toby Hedworth KC, said it was a “disgusting case” but said Millett was, “likely to constitute a minimal threat to others”.
Millett was given 22 months prison, suspended for two years and will be on the sex offender register for 10 years. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, as well as a 10 year restraining order.