Darwen man caught with 1,800 child sexual abuse images

DARWEN MAN CAUGHT WITH 1,800 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES

A depraved Darwen man found in possession of more than 1,800 indecent sexual images of children has been jailed.

However, Douglas Stanford continued to deny being sexually attracted to children, and claimed he had only viewed the images "out of curiosity".

Stanford, 47, had three devices seized by the police when they visited his home on February 20 last year, two of which were found to contain indecent material.

When asked whether he had viewed material consistent with indecent images, Stanford, of Church Terrace, replied he had, and said they were "too easy to access".

In total, 1,804 images, including pictures and videos, were found across Stanford's devices.

This included 798 category A images, the most serious category, 463 category B images, and 543 category C images.

Caitlin McLachlan, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said analysis of the devices found lurid search terms seeking images of children as young as seven.

Stanford had attempted to purchase a small sex doll for more than £380.

Recorder Kristian Cavanagh, sentencing, said: "Your internet search terms were particularly troubling.

"You seemed to be seeking out images of children as young as seven.

"Behind those images, there is a real victim, a child being abused.

"Given the high volume of images, only immediate custody is appropriate." Stanford was sentenced to 22 months in prison.