March 2008

DJ jailed over porn images

A PART-time DJ is starting a six-month prison sentence for downloading more than 150 indecent images of children as young as six.

Jason Brown was caught out after leaving behind compact discs containing incriminating evidence when he quit his rented property at The Chase, Boroughbridge.

Brown’s landlord found the discs on top of his wardrobe, and alerted the police after seeing the contents.

Geraldine Kelly, prosecuting, told York Crown Court that a police search of Brown’s property revealed 151 indecent photographs, two-thirds of which were “Level One”, the lowest level of indecency on the one-to-five scale.

The remaining third were at a higher level.

There were also 14 movie clips of children – two at level four, six at level three, five at level two and one at level one.

“The images were of children ranging from six to 13,” said Miss Kelly.

The 35-year-old was sentenced after pleading guilty to 17 offences committed between February 2005 and August 2006.

Sixteen charges related to downloading still images and one count related to a collection of movie clips.

Sentencing, Judge Stephen Ashurst said it was his duty to send out a message that people who downloaded such “disgusting” material faced the significant risk of custody.

An examination of Brown’s laptop revealed which websites Brown had been looking at.

“There was also evidence of him having taken photos of schoolgirls from a mobilecamera phone,” said Miss Kelly.

“He said he had been abused as a child and was curious to see what the interest was in child pornography.

“He said he had taken photos of schoolgirls for a laugh and to compare uniforms with what he wore as a child.”

Andrew Lees, mitigating, said Brown had moved from an address in Knaresborough because of publicity surrounding the case, and had lived in his car for five days without informing police for fear of having his bail revoked.

He said Brown had suffered “abuse of all kinds”.

“Despite his difficult upbringing, he has done well,” he said.

Brown was a labourer, and worked as a DJ to boost his income, but he lost his job because of the court proceedings.

However, he hoped to accept a job offer in London.

After reading pre-sentence reports, Judge Ashurst said he felt Brown was “in denial” over his crime and had shown little remorse.