Suspended sentence for Portland man who downloaded hundreds of child images
A PORTLAND man who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
Anthony Mitchell, of Grovenor Road, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Police raided Mitchell’s home in July, last year, and discovered devices with a number of indecent images of children – ranging from the most serious category A images, to category C. At least one of these category A images was of a four-year-old girl, the court heard.
In total, Mitchell was caught in possession of 33 category A images and 43 category A videos; 19 category B images and four category B videos; and 898 category C images, and two videos.
Mitchell, aged 48, who pleaded guilty to the offences, had previously been prosecuted in 2001 for 16 similar offences. On that occasion Mitchell was fined.
Judge Recorder Stead sentenced Mitchell to 16 months, suspended for two years providing he completes an internet sex offenders treatment programme.
