NEIL OMER IN HULL AVOIDS PRISON DESPITE POSSESSING OVER A HUNDRED INDECENT CHILD IMAGES
A convicted paedophile has narrowly avoided imprisonment after police found him with more than 100 indecent images of children.The images were discovered after Neil Omer, 57, from Burdale Close, Hull, sold his white Lenovo laptop to a Hull-based pawn shop called Cash Express on Holderness Road.
The shop stored the laptop for 28 days, offering Omer the chance to buy it back along with interest.
However, Omer did not return for the device within the specified period.
Consequently, on April 12, 2018, the shop manager accessed the laptop to restore it to factory settings and sell it.
During this process, she found two files titled "boys" and "girls." Upon opening these files, she uncovered disturbing indecent images of children and reported her findings to the police.
Hull Crown Court heard that the images included Category A material, which featured penetrative sex involving children aged 10 to 16, including penetration of males with sex toys.
The files also contained cartoon-style illustrations of children under 12 years old.
Prosecutor Mr.
Robinson noted, "The category A images included penetrative sex of children between the ages of 10 and 16 years old including penetration of males with sex toys.
Other prohibited images included cartoon-style illustrated images of children under the age of 12." In a police interview, Omer claimed he accessed the images on Tumblr, believing only lawful images could be uploaded.
He gave a no comment response when asked if he was attracted to children.
His past convictions, primarily for dishonesty, are not similar to this case; his criminal record has no entries since 1985.
The court recognized the aggravating factors, notably the violent and exploitative nature of the images and the vulnerability of the children depicted.
Defending Omer, lawyer Kylie Peach described him as "bitterly ashamed of his actions" and a lonely, vulnerable man battling heroin addiction.
She stated, "Mr Omer is bitterly ashamed of his actions and has been out of trouble for more than 30 years and is a man that can live comfortably within the parameters of the law.
He says he has 'learnt his lesson.' He is a vulnerable man and his last relationship ended 10 years ago, leaving him with no friends or family, and living alone." Peach further explained that Omer suffers from schizophrenia and depression, with his mental health worsening despite medication.
He has previously been referred to crisis teams and resorted to heroin to cope.
Currently, he has self-referred to Renew and wishes to join a drug rehabilitation program to address his addiction.
Her client poses a low risk of re-offending and of harming the public, she added.
In sentencing, Recorder Tom Little QC sentenced Omer to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Omer received full credit for an early guilty plea, a sexual harm prevention order, and an order to participate in a 30-day drug rehabilitation program.
Addressing Omer directly, Recorder Little said, "You have not been in front of the courts for many years and you have pleaded guilty for offences relating to indecent images and videos found on your electronic devices.
On March 10, you took your laptop to Cash Express, and they waited 28 days in case you wanted to buy it back with interest.
After this period, the manager accessed the laptop, discovered folders labeled 'boys' and 'girls,' and this initiated the investigation.
On all four of your devices, images and videos were found spanning two years of viewing, including internet searches.
You have become addicted to heroin and are suffering from depression." He concluded, "Having considered the guidelines and the possibility for rehabilitation through the order and assessments, I am willing to suspend your prison sentence."
