73-YEAR-OLD FROM FOREST FIELDS HAD CHILD PORN ON HIS COMPUTER
A pensioner made an unsettling remark which led to him being caught with child porn, a court heard.The comment made someone "feel uncomfortable" and checks were carried out on 73-year-old John Byrne's computer.
Details were discovered of the websites he had visited, Tony Wilkinson, prosecuting, told the city's magistrates' court.
A 17-week prison term, suspended for a year, was imposed on Byrne, who was living in the city at the time.
One picture appeared to show a three-year-old in a sexual pose with an adult, added Mr Wilkinson.
Byrne pleaded guilty to three charges of downloading indecent images of children while living in Cedar Road, Forest Fields.
He also admitted failing to attend court when ordered.
The court heard that he now lives in Midland Road, Bedford.
The offences took place between May and September last year.
Four photos were in the worst category.
District Judge Leo Pyle put Byrne on the sex offenders' register for five years.
A sexual harm prevention order will run for the same length of time.
This bars him from having a computer which can destroy a list of sites he has visited and bans him from removing images.
Police also have the right to check his computer equipment at any time.
James Buckley, mitigating, said: "When interviewed, he gave a mixture or evasions and denials.
But most importantly, he pleaded guilty when in court." He said that Byrne had "no similar previous convictions." The case had been adjourned eight days ago to await a probation report.
After missing court, Byrne had not been traced until he was detained in Bedford.
Mr Buckley added: "He was unable to give a convincing explanation as to where he has been." Byrne was brought in custody to the court where he was sentenced.
