October 2015 Paedophile OAP avoids prison over child abuse images A pensioner has been given a three year community order after a court heard he was found with more than 1,600 indecent images of children. In fact, they found well over 100,000 images in John Benson’s possession but simply didn’t have the time to go through them all. Leeds Crown Court heard police went to Benson’ home in Marsh on October 13 last year and seized equipment after the National Crime Agency received information from police in Ontario, Canada. That information related to several people in West Yorkshire purchasing DVDs and downloading indecent images from a particular website where Benson was said to have purchased items between May and September 2005. David Lampitt, prosecuting, told the court today that equipment was seized from Marsh’s home including 15 memory sticks and cards and he was arrested and interviewed the same day. He said he had sometimes seen images of that nature but had not specifically searched for them. Mr Lampitt told the court examination of the memory sticks and cards then revealed 1,691 indecent images of which 22 were Category A, the most serious; 62 category B and 1,607 were Category C. Officers discovered in addition a further 101,640 images but because of the volume a decision was made not to examine any more “The police took the view they could not spend the time to go through them so we do not know what was on them.” He said Benson was interviewed again on July 29 this year about what had been found. He confirmed the memory sticks and cards were only used by him but made no comment when asked about the images or why he had them. Benson, 65, of Glebe Street, Marsh, admitted nine offences of possessing indecent images of children and in addition to the community order was given a 60 day activity requirement and supervision. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years. Recorder Mark McKone told him a prison sentence could have been justified. “In 2005 you started to acquire images of children which were sexual in nature,” he said. “That suggests you have been seeking these images for about nine years. “When police examined your computer equipment after October 13, 2014 you had over 100,000 images. It would have been impossible for the police to analyse all of those but they found 1,691 indecent photos.” He said from the categories found it appeared Benson was probably seeking Category C indecent images of children, but inevitably that would mean coming across other more serious images some involving children being raped. The judge added: “When you download or watch images of children being raped you encourage other people to make those images like that and the cycle continues, the lives of children being ruined by those who abuse them.” But he accepted Benson had never been in trouble before and said the best way of ensuring no similar offending in the future was for him to undergo courses under a community order. September 2015 Marsh man in court after police raid on his home found almost 1,700 indecent images of children A man found with more than 1,000 indecent images of children was caught after buying a DVD from a website linked to child abuse. John Benson’s home in Marsh was searched by police after he purchased the item from the Canada-based site. They seized memory sticks and cards which had a total of 1,691 indecent images of children on them. Benson, 65, yesterday pleaded guilty to nine charges of possessing indecent images of a child. The charges were dated between May 2005 and October 2014. Rory Byrne, prosecuting at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, said: “Police became aware of this defendant when he bought a DVD from a Canadian website that had been associated with the distribution of child abuse images. “Because of that they executed a search warrant at the address where he lives with his wife. There are no children at that address.” The Huddersfield court was told that 15 memory cards and sticks were seized from the address on Glebe Street. Mr Byrne said: “These contained a total of 1,691 indecent images of children. “There were 22 at category A, 62 at category B and 1,607 of these were category C.” Images classed as category A are the most serious. They can involve penetrative sexual activity or sexual activity with an animal or sadism. Category B images typically involve non-penetrative sexual activity while those classed as category C involve possession of images not falling within the other two categories. The court was told that further images were found but these have not been categorised. Benson’s solicitor said that his client, who had no previous convictions, had accepted his guilt at the first opportunity. District Judge Michael Fanning committed Benson’s case to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on October 1. He was granted unconditional bail. Benson must also register his details with police within three days after being made subject to the notification requirements under the Sex Offenders’ Register.