May 2003 Jailed for child porn images A THEATRE lighting expert who downloaded child porn from the internet has been jailed for three months. Richard Ianson (22), a prominent member of Brierfield Baptist Church and local dramatic groups, had more than 200 obscene images on his computer, Burnley Magistrates Court heard. Sentencing the defendant, who worked for the Mid-Pennine Arts Association until he was convicted, District Judge Paul Firth said although those who viewed indecent pictures of children may not think so, there was always a victim and in some cases a seriously abused victim. He told Ianson some of the images he had downloaded which was not by accident were particularly disturbing. One of the photos showed an adult having penetrative sex with a child and another depicted two relatively young children having full sex. Others involved adults and children. The judge went on: They are images of degrading activity. Images of child abuse. Images for which another person, not you, made a financial profit. The person and persons who make profit could not do so unless you and others pay them to view these images. That is the seriousness of this sort of offending. District Judge Firth, who had read references on Iansons behalf, said although the defendant had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, co-operated with the police, had no previous convictions and was formerly of positive good character , the offences were so serious only custody could be justified. He added although Ianson had not been responsible for the initial making of the images, was not distributing them and made no gain for himself, he had not downloaded them in a single day but over a period of time. Ianson, of Victoria Avenue, Brierfield, had earlier admitted five charges of making an indecent photo or pseudo photo of a child, between December 1st last year and January 23rd. He was placed on the Sex OffendersRegister for seven years. Miss Emma Keogh (prosecuting) told the court the defendant was arrested in the police swoop, Operation Nickel. The ages of the children in the pictures were between 10 and 14 and when police questioned Ianson he admitted he used the computer seized and nobody else did. The defendant would say he downloaded the images some time ago but they were mostly downloaded in December and at the start of this year. Mr Geoff Ireland (defending) said there was no suggestion Ianson distributed the images or made any financial gain. He was very frank with the police. when they turned up, he told them: I have been expecting you. The pictures were on the defendants hard drive and there was no evidence he had been printing them off. At the time of his arrest, Ianson had been worked for Mid-Pennine Arts but had lost his job because of what he had done. That had been a considerable punishment for him. A letter to the court from his former employer spoke very highly of him. Ianson may now have difficulty in finding another job. Mr Ireland added the defendant came from a supportive family who were all in court. They would help him through a stringent community punishment order if the court was to impose one.