January 2021

Paedophile downloaded ‘banned software’ on his Samsung phone

A East Yorkshire paedophile broke the rules around downloading software after being charged with making indecent photographs of children.

Alistair Tough, 57, of Spring Road, Market Weighton, was given a suspended sentence in March 2019 of 12 months suspended for two years, which he breached on October 21 last year by breaking a sexual harm prevention order.

Hull Crown Court heard that Tough installed a “secure wipe” app on his Samsung Galaxy phone, which removes files permanently from devices.

Richard Thompson, prosecuting, told the court that Tough had a sexual harm prevention order in place on him for 10 years after being caught with child sexual abuse images, which allowed police to monitor his devices

As part of the monitoring process, officers found the banned software, which Tough claimed was downloaded to create memory space on his phone, but was nevertheless a breach of his conditions.

Judge David Tremberg gave Tough a sentence of six months suspended for one year and ordered that he complete another five rehabilitation requirement days.