December 2010

Coulby Newham husband spared jail over child abuse images

A MARRIED man who confessed to a sexual interest in children after downloading child pornography has kept his liberty to get help for his problem.

Brian Walters, 52, was spared prison as a judge decided locking him up would be counter-productive.

Police searched Walters’ home at Comfrey, Coulby Newham, on April 18, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Forensic analysis revealed 2,241 indecent pictures of children on his computer hard drive. Of the photos, 1,797 were at the least serious category, but hundreds more were at the more severe levels – 290 at the second worst category, four at the worst. He had another 900 pictures of children in underwear or swimwear.

He admitted 16 counts of making indecent images of children. He told officers: “I’ve looked at some porn and some stuff with kids in then deleted it.”

Rachel Dyson, defending, said: “Mr Walters accepts that there is a problem. He is ashamed and disgusted. He is struggling to come to terms with his behaviour. And it seems that he is making some progress in dealing with that.” She said he received counselling.

Walters had a long work history, was still working and his wife was supporting and helping him, and was in court.

Judge Peter Bowers told Walters: “It is essential in my view that you attend the sex offenders’ treatment programme. That will give you the insight and means to sort out this unhealthy interest.”

He passed an 18-week jail sentence suspended for two years with supervision and the sex offenders’ treatment programme. Walters was given a sexual offences prevention order and will be on the sex offenders’ register, each for five years, and must pay £1,000 costs.