Former Weardale man sought indecent images of children from internet
A pervert who downloaded indecent images of children from the internet over a 17-year period is now seeking to address his behaviour, a court heard.
Kevin Michael Oswin was found to have accessed the material from July 2000 after computer equipment seized from his home in Wearhead, Weardale, in February last year, was examined by police.
Durham Crown Court was told an application installed in a lap-top allowed sharing of images, although there was nothing to indicate Oswin distributed any himself.
But, Philip Morley, prosecuting, said: “He took advantage of distribution by others and used search terms to find that material.”
He told police he sought adult pornography and may have “accidentally” downloaded child material, viewing it, “out of curiosity”.
Oswin, 54, now of Blackpool, admitted three counts of making indecent images.
Judge Christopher Prince said there appears to be, “a realistic prospect of rehabilitation”, and passed an eight-month sentence, suspended for two years, with a total of 52 probation-run sex offender programme sessions or rehabilitation activity days
Oswin will be subject to restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and must notify as a sex offender, both for ten years.