Published date: 19 April 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
A MAN who shared indecent images via Twitter had originally started out to expose paedophiles, a court heard.
Christian Matthew Alan Jones, of Coedpoeth, previously pleaded guilty at Wrexham Magistrates Court to making indecent images and movies of children and possession of 25 such images.
The case was adjourned until Friday for a pre-sentence report.
The court heard how in February 2015, police had been made aware of an email address that was linked to a Twitter account which was being used to share indecent images via Twitter.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the IP address the email was linked to was traced and the defendant’s address was then identified.
A warrant was issued and police raided the address and seized the defendant’s computers while he was at work.
Upon his return, the defendant was arrested and told his mobile phone would be seized.
Mr Espie said Jones, 39, told the police he had left his phone at work but when officers said they would visit his employer
to get it he admitted he had hidden it behind a nearby tree and took them to it.
to get it he admitted he had hidden it behind a nearby tree and took them to it.
The court heard how when Jones’ computers and phone were analysed, indecent images and movies were found, along with two pieces of ‘elimination software’ designed to overwrite deleted files.
Ian Barnes, defending, said Jones had originally set up the Twitter account because he was becoming increasingly concerned about and aware of reports of offences of this nature.
Mr Barnes told the court that his client took the foolish decision to set up the email address and Twitter account.
His intention was to share the images and the names of the people uploading them by ‘Retweeting’ them with the intention of highlighting the issue to other people and with the hope that something would be done about it.
He added: “Initially he had good intentions, but what came next there is no justification for.”
Mr Barnes said his client then began searching for the material.
He added that, to his client’s credit, Jones had stopped downloading these images toward the end of 2014 and had voluntarily referred himself to an organisation that attempts to help people doing these things to change their lives and behaviours.
The court heard how Jones was deeply ashamed of his behaviour and had showed genuine remorse.
Mr Barnes also said Jones was relieved when he was arrested because the knowledge that he would be punished had helped to relieve some of his guilt.
Chair of the magistrates’ bench Wendy Jones issued Jones with a three-year community order, including a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and an order that he complete an Internet Sexual Offenders Programme for three years.
He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/161084/images-of-child-abuse-corrupted-coedpoeth-man-hunting-for-paedophiles.aspx
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