ANTHONY BULLOUGH OF CHORLEY SPARED JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSING INDECENT IMAGES

In March 2014, a man identified as Anthony Thomas Bullough, aged 32 and formerly residing in Chorley but now without a fixed address, was convicted of possessing indecent images and received a deferred prison sentence.

Bullough pleaded guilty to 11 counts related to the possession of indecent images, some of which depicted children as young as eight. Prosecutor Mr. Joe Almond told Preston Crown Court that on August 15, 2012, police executing a search warrant at Bullough's home—where he lived with his brother and grandmother—found his computer. Bullough admitted to officers that he expected to find indecent images on the device, claiming he came across them while attempting to download a film.

After his initial arrest, Bullough was released on bail. However, in July of the following year, police returned to the same address to execute another warrant. During this visit, Bullough acknowledged having child pornography stored on his computer.

In police interviews, Bullough claimed he was speaking with children via Skype and intended to ask them to send pictures of themselves. However, the court heard there was no evidence to suggest he had acted on this intention.

Mr. Almond noted that Bullough's statements implied he was interested in a sexual encounter with children and expressed a desire to meet up with them. Bullough reportedly said, “He talked as if he wanted a sexual encounter with children and wanted to meet up. He went on to say he would never go through with it because he feared if he met up with them they would not transpire to be children. He wanted to meet them but he was fearful of being assaulted.”

Defending him, Mr. Mark Goodwin told the court that Bullough felt relieved now that his situation was known publicly. He described Bullough as someone desperate for help, emphasizing that his client had no intention of reoffending and recognized his situation as an addiction that required treatment. Goodwin added, “He feels better now things are out in the open. He is desperate for help. He has no intention of reoffending but he knows the reality of what he calls an addiction, that it does require treatment and he is eager to have that.”

Since the hearing, Bullough, who is currently homeless, was given a three-year community order, which includes supervision. He is required to participate in a sex offenders’ programme and must sign the register of convicted sex offenders for seven years.