April 2016 Dad, 37, told police: ‘I downloaded child porn out of boredom’ FATHER-OF-FIVE Darren Edge has been jailed after being caught with indecent photographs of children. Police found scores of images and videos on the 37-year-old’s mobile phone and laptop. He had filmed three of them himself on his mobile. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he had also been on chat sites posing as a 15-year-old boy – and a girl – requesting naked photographs of youngsters. Police raided Edge’s Chell Heath home in November and seized his iPhone and a laptop. Prosecutor Neil Ahuja said: “Examination of the equipment revealed it contained evidence of indecent images of children that had been downloaded. The iPhone had been used to record images of a girl.” Police found more than 150 photographs and videos. Twenty-two of those were classed as Category A – the most serious classification. Mr Ahuja added: “When interviewed his position changed over time. “Initially when asked if there would be any indecent images on his equipment he said, ‘There shouldn’t be’. “As time went on he said there were. He said he had downloaded the images out of boredom. “He said he had also been on chat sites with girls when he was pretending to be someone younger – both male and female.” Edge, of Chell Heath Road, Chell Heath, pleaded guilty to eight counts of making indecent photographs of children, three counts of taking indecent photographs of children and one charge of voyeurism. The court heard he had no relevant previous convictions. Martin Bloor, mitigating, said: “These are clearly very unsavoury offences. Mr Edge has found it very difficult to come to terms with what he has done. “He’s very frightened about the prospect of custody and feels he would struggle in that environment. He accepts there is an underlying cause behind his behaviour and he has already had counselling.” Judge Paul Glenn rejected Mr Bloor’s argument that Edge could be given a community order for the offences, and jailed him for a total of 14 months. He told Edge: “I would not be doing my public duty if I did not send you to custody. “Your behaviour was planned and deliberate. What you also did, which demonstrates a worrying attraction towards children and deviousness, was pose as a 15-year-old boy and girl and have conversations with children requesting naked photographs of them. “As a father and stepfather you should be ashamed of your actions. My concern is the potential risk you pose to children.” Edge is also barred from activities involving children and vulnerable adults.