A Home Office official who downloaded sickening child abuse images online has been sent to prison.
Frederick John Lester’s illegal internet activities came to light when his partner discovered the horrendous content stored on a USB stick and handed them into police.
Lester, 62, of Oak Tree Close in Shotton , was jailed for ten months at Mold Crown Court today after he admitted a total of eight charges of making indecent still images and movies of children by downloading them from the internet.
He also pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing indecent images of children.
Prosecuting barrister Matthew Curtis said that the case involved more than 2,000 still images – 661 at the most serious category A, 998 at category B and 473 at category C.
There were also more than 450 movies – 364 of them at category A.
'Rubbish'
The court heard that in September last year, Lester’s partner Tania Hanblin came across suspicious files in a USB stick belonging to Lester, who was employed at the Home Office in a disclosure and barring service role in Merseyside at the time.
She worked for Cheshire police in the disclosure and vetting department and she felt she had to report the matter to someone she knew in that service.
Mr Curtis said that she handed the USB stick over and a preliminary investigation was carried out.
When the abuse images were found, Lester was arrested at his place of work.
He initially described the allegations as “rubbish” but during a later police interview, he admitted downloading the images and said that he had a thrill from doing so.
Defending barrister Andrew Green said that his client was ashamed of his actions.
He was an intelligent and articulate man who had a productive life in a highly responsible career, added Mr Green.
The offences originated from a particularly dark period in his life when he was being buffeted by negative forces.
'Depraved'
North Wales Police Detective Constable Barbara Roberts said: “I am pleased that the court has handed down a custodial sentence which reflects the magnitude of the offences committed.
“Frederick Lester is a depraved individual who must now face the consequences of his actions.
“Offenders need to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for possessing indecent images. They leave a digital footprint and we will find it.”
“The sentence given by the judge should act as a deterrent and we will continue to work to bring those to justice who believe that they can view indecent images of children.
“Anyone who has any information regarding the possession and distribution of indecent images can contact North Wales Police on 101.”
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/flintshire-home-office-employee-court-11440389
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