January 2013 Prison term after Telford father admits child abuse images charges A father-of-two from Shropshire has been jailed for 10 months after making nearly 50,000 indecent child images, many in the most graphic category. Adrian Pearce, of Hopkins Heath, Shawbirch, Telford, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing after admitting 10 charges of making around 48,760 images. The court heard he had kept his obsession a ‘dark secret’ for more than a decade. The court heard the 63-year-old had collected the images from the internet over a 10 to 15 year period. Pearce admitted making about 47,290 photos and 380 videos at level one, the least graphic. He also admitted making about 40 photographs and five videos at level five, depicting the most graphic abuse. Mr Robert James Edwards, prosecuting, said police were acting on intelligence when they carried out a search warrant at his property in September 2011. He told the court Pearce was later arrested and confessed to police he had been collecting indecent images for about 10 to 15 years. Mr Dean Easthope, for Pearce, said his client had become obsessed with the images. He said: “He has distorted thinking. He became a recluse.” Judge Robin Onions told Pearce: “On the outside you were a well-respected working man. But you kept a dark secret.” Pearce was also barred from working with children for life. October 2012 Telford man admits to 90,000 child abuse pictures A 62-year-old Telford man admitted making more than 90,000 indecent images of children, including dozens of the most graphic kind. Adrian Pearce appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Pearce, of Hopkins Heath, Shawbirch, yesterday admitted 10 charges of making indecent images of children. The court heard all the offences took place between November 2008 and September last year. Pearce admitted making 89,930 photos and 387 videos at level one, the least graphic level. He admitted making 310 photos and 146 videos at level two, 209 photos and 42 videos at level three, and 553 photos and 187 videos at level four. Pearce also admitted making 84 indecent photos and five videos at level five, depicting the most graphic abuse. Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said in some of the pictures Pearce had superimposed non-pornographic images on top of child pornography. Mr Dean Easthope, for Pearce, said his client had no previous convictions. Judge Simon Tonking bailed Pearce and ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared. Sentencing will take place on a date to be fixed, and the judge warned Pearce that a jail sentence could not be ruled out.