ELECTRICIAN CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES WALKS FREE FROM COURT
A electrician who secretly scoured the dark web for vile child sex abuse images has walked free from court.Sex offender Andrew Coleman 'actively searched' the dark web for illegal content of girls as young as 13.
The 48-year-old was busted when a tip-off led police to Coleman's door, with officers uncovering indecent photographs and an extreme image of sexual activity between a woman and a dog.
Coleman confessed he was to blame but insisted he had no sexual interest in children and was not a paedophile.
A judge has now said he can swerve jail so he can work on his issues including self-esteem and confidence.
READ MORE: Midlands man, 35, killed in horror house fire caused by toaster Police received information that an IP address linked to Coleman's home appeared to be downloading indecent images "using the dark web".
A warrant was executed at Coleman's property on April 24 last year.
Police seized a computer tower which contained 133 indecent images of children, one extreme pornographic image, and 22 prohibited images.
Children in the footage were aged between 13 and 17, prosecutor Olivia Appleby said.
Coleman, who had no previous convictions, admitted to three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image.
The court heard he supports his parents with their medication, shopping, and checking on them daily, and is aware of the dangers his actions pose to them.
A judge sentenced him to a two-year community order, with a 55-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 120 hours of unpaid work, and £150 costs.
He is also subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and must remain on the sex offenders register for five years.
The judge noted that children in such images were victims, but children are victims because their images perpetuate the market for such abuse.
The court emphasized that children, some close to the age of consent, were victimized, and children have not been able to explore their sexuality in private.
The court also pointed out that sending Coleman to jail would risk him losing his home due to mortgage issues.
Coleman lives alone but helps care for his parents, supporting them with medication and daily check-ins, and is aware of the risks he's caused.
Judge Jacobs concluded that there is no benefit in sending him to prison, as it would not address the issues he needs to resolve to prevent relapse.
Coleman, working as an electrical contractor on industrial sites, has shown some progress in addressing his behaviour and has a level of victim awareness, but struggles to accept his sexual interest in children.
