June 2013 Pervert caught with child sexual abuse images A depraved school IT technician who downloaded sickening child abuse images was tracked down after an investigation involving young victims in America and Australia. Computer graduate Marc Gothorp, of Coulson Road, Lincoln, was jailed after he admitted downloading nearly 2,000 indecent images. Police were tipped off about the 32-year-old pervert after the IP address of his computer showed up during a US-led inquiry into an American citizen linked to child porn in Australia. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau alerted local police who searched Gothorp’s home and found a laptop and USB stick. Children as young as 3 and 4 years old were found on some of the images. During interview Gothorp, who worked at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in North Hykeham, admitted being “foolish” and downloading some of the images for his own sexual gratification. Gothorp, who had no previous convictions, denied carrying out offences at the school. In mitigation, Sunil Khana said Gothorp began accepting the indecent images after meeting other users on gay chat rooms. “On occasions he felt sexually aroused and on other occasions he felt sickened. On another occasion he smashed up his computer,” he said. Gothorp admitted possessing 1,997 indecent images of children, 14 charges of making indecent images of children and two offences of possessing extreme pornographic images. Handing him an eight month sentence, Judge Michael Heath told Gothorp there was no alternative to prison. He said: “It was all downloaded for your sexual gratification. Children are grievously abused to make those images and videos.” Head teacher of Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, Helen Renard, said: “We confirm Mr Gothorp was employed by the academy until last summer. “As a consequence of information provided by Lincolnshire Police on July 18, 2012, he was immediately suspended and was subsequently dismissed. “The police investigation has never involved the academy. “Our priority is the safety and security of our students as demonstrated by the swift and decisive action taken by myself supported by the governing body. “The academy has always followed the strictest of procedures in relation to safeguarding. We will continue to do so while providing high standards of education for our students.”