A 58-year-old man from Purton has been jailed for 28 months after admitting possessing, making and distributing extreme child abuse images.
Stephen Jones, of Cowleaze, appeared before Swindon Crown Court on Friday 8th May where he pleaded guilty to multiple offences involving indecent images of children and extreme pornography.
The court heard Jones admitted to making 250 Category A images, as well as 82 Category B and 18 Category C images. He also admitted distributing 40 Category A images, six Category B images and two Category C images.
Jones further pleaded guilty to possession of 250 extreme pornographic images involving bestiality and possession of a prohibited image of a child.
During sentencing, Judge James Townsend described the material as “appalling” and “quite horrific”, telling the court Jones’ actions had been deliberate and not an impulsive one-off decision.
Although Jones admitted he was “utterly ashamed and disgusted” by his actions and had sought to better understand himself, the judge said the severity of the offences outweighed mitigating factors.
Alongside the prison sentence, Jones was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone, iPad and storage devices.
Detective Constable Jason Walsh said: “Jones chose to share and download the most extreme category of vile abuse images for his own sexual gratification.
“This is not a victimless crime. We must never forget that each one of these images represents a stolen childhood and fuels the most appalling abuse and criminality.”
Wiltshire Police said further advice on recognising and reporting child abuse is available on its website.
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