October 2013 Cotton End man found with images of child abuse may lose job to avoid jail A MAN caught with images of child sex abuse on his computer may lose his employment on an oil rig so that he can stay out of prison. A Judge was prepared to give Terry Figes, of Wood Lane, Cotton End, a community order so that he could attend a sex offender programme but his job made that difficult to fulfil. Judge David Farrell QC told Luton Crown Court on Friday the alternative was an immediate custodial sentence which would mean Figes would probably lose his job, and would have no assistance in addressing his problem. He adjourned the case for a week to obtain further information. Figes’ barrister Martin Lahiffe told the court: “He is suitable for a sex offender course and, if necessary, will have to find a new job.” Figes, 48, pleaded guilty to 17 charges of making indecent images of children, one charge of possessing images and one charge of possessing extreme pornography. Jerry Hayes, prosecuting, said of 1356 images that were found, most were at the least serious level but more than 400 were in the three most serious categories. Judge Farrell said Figes was still showing an element of denial about his offending, claiming he was looking at some images out of curiosity rather than for gratification. But he told the defendant: “Possessing such images for your sexual gratification is child abuse.” He gave him a three year community order with a Sex Offender treatment programme. He must also register as a sex offender for five years and comply with a sex offenders protection order.