March 2022 Durham paedophile claimed he was ‘encouraged’ by ex-partner to download sickening indecent images A paedophile claimed he was “encouraged” by his ex-partner to download sickening child abuse videos and extreme porn. Mark Denton said he downloaded indecent images and videos of children, as well as extreme pornography involving animals, in order to “please” his former boyfriend. The 44-year-old was found in possession of the material when police raided his County Durham home on August 25, 2020. On Friday, he appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images, possession of extreme pornography, and possession of prohibited images of children. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing. Robin Turton, prosecuting, said a National Crime Agency investigation found that Denton’s home IP address had been downloading indecent images. Police then went to his home on August 25, 2020 and seized two mobile phones, a Samsung and a Huawei. Following examinations, the phones were found to contain sickening indecent images, which some depicted children as young as four-years-old. “The defendant was interviewed and he made full admissions”, Mr Turton said. “He accepted he used the phones to access an array of pornographic material, including pornography involving animals and children under the age of 18.” Denton, of Lambton Street, Langley Park, Durham, also used the Telegram, Whatsapp and Snapchat apps to access indecent images. Mr Turton said: “He said he was not sexually interested in children but was aroused by the material at the time of viewing as he was engaging in sexual activity with his partner.” A total of 69 category A videos were found in Denton’s possession, as well as two videos depicting bestiality. Category B and C images were also discovered. The court heard Denton had seven previous convictions for 23 offences, none of which were of a similar nature. Mr Turton added there was “no suggestion of production or distribution” of indecent images. Sentencing Denton, Judge Ray Singh said his devices revealed “significant images of young children”. “The suggestion in your pre-sentence report was ‘I was being encouraged by my partner in order to please him’ and while having sex with your partner these images were being played in the background. “Firstly, in my view, that is minimization. This was not just a single download to please your partner. Denton was jailed for nine months and was given a 10 year sexual harm prevention order. He will also be on the sex offender’s register for 10 years.