ROGER BORTON OF LEEDS ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE ONE MILLION CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Leeds, a married man named Roger Borton, aged 56, was found to possess an astonishing collection of child pornography, totaling approximately one million images and videos. Despite the severity of the offences, Borton was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment but was instead given a suspended sentence, with the court emphasizing the importance of therapy and intervention.

According to court records, Borton was caught with an extensive collection of illegal material, which included some of the most serious images classified at Level 5. The authorities revealed that he continued his offending even after police raided his residence in Leeds. The investigation uncovered that Borton had been involved in these activities for several years, with his initial arrest taking place in November 2008. However, due to the overwhelming volume of illicit content, the legal proceedings faced significant delays, prolonging the time before sentencing could be carried out.

During the trial at Leeds Crown Court, Borton admitted to 21 charges related to the possession of 957,351 images and movies. While he acknowledged viewing some of the material for sexual gratification, the court was told that his primary obsession was collecting these images rather than actively viewing them. The prosecution highlighted that some of the images were classified at Level 5, indicating the most severe and disturbing content, involving the worst forms of abuse inflicted upon children.

Richard Wright, representing Borton, argued that the majority of the images were at Level 1, the lowest category, which could influence the court's decision towards a more rehabilitative approach rather than incarceration. The court also heard that additional illegal material was seized during a police search in July 2010, when officers returned to Borton's home and confiscated further equipment containing illicit images.

Judge Colin Burn addressed Borton directly, expressing disbelief at the sheer volume of images he had accumulated. The judge remarked that it would be 'humanly impossible' to view such a vast collection within a lifetime. Despite the gravity of the offences, Borton was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years. The sentence included supervision, a requirement of up to 60 days of intensive activity, and participation in a sex offender treatment program.

Furthermore, Borton was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which mandated that any devices capable of storing digital images be made available for inspection. The judge emphasized that the offences involved particularly disturbing images depicting severe abuse, which is a reflection of the horrific reality faced by the victims.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Burn stated that the private act of viewing and collecting such images is only possible because of the appalling abuse inflicted upon children—abuse that causes lasting psychological and physical trauma. The court concluded that with appropriate intervention, the risk of reoffending could be significantly reduced.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson explained that Borton's arrest was part of a broader police operation called Operation Nettlebed. During police interviews, Borton denied any sexual attraction to children, claiming he preferred girls up to 18 years old. He admitted to starting with adult pornography and gradually progressing to images of younger girls, describing his behavior as an 'addiction.' Nicholson noted that some of the images depicted children under the age of 10, which Borton claimed was his limit.

Throughout the proceedings, Borton was described as having had a traumatic childhood. Despite his offending, he has sought help for his obsession and has been open with his wife and family, who continue to support him. The case underscores the complex issues surrounding offenders of this nature, highlighting the importance of treatment and rehabilitation alongside legal consequences.