October 2015 Pervert caught with more than 5,000 child abuse images claims he downloaded them ‘ACCIDENTALLY’ A man caught by police with more than 5,000 pictures and videos of child abuse claims he downloaded them ‘accidentally’. Simon Peter Lott, 36, was arrested after police found 5,023 still images and 162 videos at his home in Billingham, County Durham. But after denying responsibility in his first two police interviews, then then told officers he had accessed them ‘accidentally’ while searching for adult pornography. Lott changed his plea to guilty ahead of a trial at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced to an 18-month community order. Before his third police interview, Lott phoned a detective and accepted responsibility – telling officers he had accessed child abuse images “accidentally” whilst using file-sharing sites such as Limewire. Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said: “It came to light that someone had accessed these sort of images from an address in Billingham. “Police investigated and seized devices. “The defendant in interview denied downloading images of children. “But later he phoned the detective and explained that he must have downloaded them accidentally, while using file sharing websites.” Lott originally pleaded not guilty to possessing indecent images at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in September. But ahead of a Crown Court trial, Lott changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced by a judge on Friday. His barrister Jim Withyman said: “When the case came to me in this court, I advised the defendant to plead guilty.” Mr Withyman said that Lott was of previous good character and had not received any criminal convictions or cautions. Judge Howard Crowson said: “You really should have pleaded guilty at Magistrates’ Court. “It will cost you £535 in court charges to come here and plead guilty.” Lott was also ordered that Lott be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.