January 2012

Grandfather admits downloading indecent images of children

A GRANDFATHER-of-eight admitted to downloading more than 2,000 indecent images of children.

Donald Webber, formerly of Kemsing, claimed he did so because he and his wife were not having regular sexual intercourse.

The 73-year-old made thousands of photographs – meaning he copied them, downloaded them to a disc or printed them out – at each of the five levels of severity for child pornography.

Seven of the pictures were at Level 5, the most extreme form.

At Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, Webber pleaded guilty to 11 different charges of making and possessing indecent images.

Police had searched and seized his computer in July.

Defending, Andy Horsman described Webber as a man of “previously impeccable character” and said there was no allegation he had ever done anything more serious than viewing and copying images online.

The magistrates referred Webber, who is currently living in Hailsham, to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing.

Mr Horsman asked them to lift the restrictions on Webber’s bail, which banned him from being in contact with any child under the age of 16 or possessing or using a device allowing him to access the internet.

The solicitor said: “These conditions meant he could not see his children or grandchildren over Christmas and may not be able to attend his son’s father-in-law’s funeral because there will be children there.

“He is extremely unlikely to reoffend, partially because of his age.

Mr Horsman added: “I have seen his family several times and they are supportive of getting these conditions lifted.”