SCOTT LISTER OF HULL JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN BRIDLINGTON
A man identified as Scott Lister, aged 53, from Ferndale Terrace in Bridlington, was recently convicted and sentenced to prison after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images and videos depicting children.The case highlights his continued obsession with such material despite previous convictions and legal restrictions.
According to court records, Lister admitted to three separate charges of creating indecent images of children, which he committed between July 7, 2021, and March 18, 2022.
Additionally, he was found guilty of breaching a sexual harm prevention order that had been imposed on him in 2016, a violation that led to his current sentencing.
The breach was linked to his possession of illicit material during the period in question.
Prosecutor Amber Hobson detailed the extent of the evidence against Lister, revealing that police seized a memory stick and a mobile phone from him following an investigation into online activity.
The devices contained a total of 66 images and 71 videos, with the images categorized into three levels of severity: 10 in Category A, nine in Category B, and 47 in Category C.
The videos mirrored this distribution, with 28 in Category A, 21 in Category B, and 22 in Category C.
The images and videos depicted children in various states of abuse, with the most serious Category A material being particularly disturbing.
On his phone, authorities found an additional eight images in Category A, five in Category B, and one in Category C, along with 17 videos, including six in Category A, six in Category B, and five in Category C.
During police interviews, Lister denied having a sexual interest in children, claiming that he did not actively seek out such images but merely browsed internet areas where such content was available.
He also suggested that intoxication might have influenced his actions at the time.
It was noted that Lister had a lengthy criminal history, with 21 previous convictions, including similar offenses in 2016.
His prior conviction led to the imposition of a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which he was found to have violated through his recent conduct.
The court heard that his repeated offenses demonstrated a pattern of behavior that could not be safely managed within the community.
Holly Thompson, representing Lister, explained that her client had struggled for some time to accept his sexual interests in children.
She emphasized that Lister recognized the heinous nature of his actions and the profound harm they cause to vulnerable victims.
She acknowledged that he was fully aware of the serious consequences he faced, including the possibility of imprisonment, and described his offenses as a form of self-medication.
Despite this, she noted that he had previously served time in custody and was attempting to address his issues.
Thompson also highlighted Lister’s efforts to rebuild his life post-release, including working as a self-employed model builder for war games, which he supplied to the public and museums.
She mentioned his ongoing battle with social isolation and alcohol misuse, but stated that he had now ceased drinking entirely.
She expressed hope that he was beginning to understand the psychological difficulties he faces and the impact of his actions on others.
Judge John Thackray KC addressed Lister directly, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes.
He stated, “This is not a victimless crime – far from it.
It’s people like you, viewing this disgusting material, which fuels the abuse of children and causes lifelong damage to them.” The judge underscored that Lister’s repeated offenses demonstrated that his risk to the community could not be effectively managed outside of incarceration.
As a result, he sentenced Lister to 14 months in prison, noting that only a custodial sentence could serve as an appropriate punishment for such serious breaches of the law.
At the time of sentencing, Lister was on bail, and his imprisonment marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing threat posed by individuals involved in the distribution and possession of child exploitation material.
