JOHN LEIGHTON OF HARTLEPOOL SUBJECTED TO 10-YEAR SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER OVER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
In September 2017, John Leighton, a 52-year-old resident of Rydal Street, Hartlepool, was publicly shamed for his involvement with child sexual abuse images.Despite previously being considered of good character, Leighton was overwhelmed with remorse and shame, his lawyer told Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutor Emma Atkinson stated that police raided Leighton’s home on February 8 after receiving intelligence regarding his activities.
When police revealed their purpose, Leighton admitted responsibility.
During the search, officers seized his laptop, which contained evidence of deliberate access to child pornography.
The laptop held a total of 2,121 images, with the most serious being 193 in Category A, 294 in Category B, and 1,715 in Category C.
Additionally, nine images depicted extreme pornography involving a dog.
Emma Atkinson highlighted that the aggravating factors included the large volume of images and the distress and pain suffered by the children depicted.
She noted, “One aggravating feature is that there were a large number of victims.
He had been actively searching for child pornography, and he could not explain his actions.” Judge Deborah Sherwin remarked, “There is no doubt that this offending does justify a custodial sentence.
In your case I take the view that you would be best assisted by being treated in the community.” Ultimately, Leighton was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to undertake 35 days of rehabilitation activities.
He was also issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his internet use and required to register as a sex offender for a decade.
Leighton pleaded guilty to three charges of creating indecent images of children and one charge of possessing extreme pornography.
