Tomlinson appeared at Swansea Crown Court
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A MAN who was caught taking a knife with him to enquire about his benefits was later discovered to have indecent images on his phone and personal computer.
Mark Tomlinson, of High Street, Ammanford, was found to be in possession of the knife in April, while trying to enter the Justice Centre in Port Talbot, to appeal against a 'benefit determination decision'.
Swansea Crown Court was told the 50-year-old was stopped by a security guard who discovered the grey-handled knife in his pocket.
Prosecuting, Craig Jones told the court that police officers later took Tomlinson's phone, and upon inspection they noticed a number of indecent images of children.
He added: "They searched his home address, and a laptop was seized containing indecent images and extreme pornography."
Mr Jones said there were no images in category A, the most serious category of abuse, but there were four in category B, and 160 in category in C, plus 49 further images of extreme pornography.
Tomlinson had pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, possessing extreme images, and having a bladed article. The court was told he had the knife on him because he had been working on his father's home.
Mitigating, Frank Phillips said: "This offence is completely out of character.
"There was a relatively small number of images, and none in the most serious category A.
"He did not use the knife to threaten anyone, he had gone to appeal against a benefit determination decision".
Appealing against a custodial decision, he added: "Given his intellectual limitations it is likely he may be taken advantage of by other prisoners."
Sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas QC said: "It is very serious to take a knife out of your home. You can't walk around anywhere outside your house with a knife on you.
"You have disgusting pictures on your mobile phone and your computer of people having sex with children, or pictures of naked children, or pictures of people having sex with animals.
"These are things people do that get them sent to prison. I have had to think hard today about whether I send you to prison or not.
"I have decided I won't today because I think you need help with your problems, and bearing in mind you have not been in trouble before".
Tomlinson was given a three year community order, with a sixty day rehabilitation requirement.
He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for seven years, and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/man-found-with-knife-had-extreme-pornography/story-30006814-detail/story.html#q6uBYl4frBYjOEJu.99
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