HUNDREDS of indecent images of children were found on a man's laptop following a serious crime investigaton, a court heard.
Timothy Rory Barrett, aged 47, was investigated by the National Crime Agency as part of an investigation into child exploitation and sex offenders.
Following investigations, the Portland man received a knock on his door on September 13, 2017 from police officers and was arrested.
His laptop was seized and officers examining his device found six Category A videos and 16 Category A photos - the most serious category - 37 Category B images, and two Category C videos and 202 Category C images.
Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, previously told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court how officers were made aware that Barrett was possibly in possession of indecent images of children.
He said: “The defendant was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of incident images of children. This is following information from National Crime Agency that suggested that he was in possession of such images.
"Devices under his control were seized including a computer and there were various images located including some in the most serious category.
“There were six moving images and 16 still images and a large number of Category B and C images.”
During police interviews, Barrett offered no comment.
Barrett, of Straits on Portland, pleaded guilty at a previous court hearing to making indecent images of a child between February 22, 2014 and August 31, 2017.
The matter was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and moved to Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing due to the seriousness of the charges.
Mitigating, Nick Robinson, told the court how Barrett was remorseful and regretful of his actions.
Sitting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Fuller issued Barrett with a two-year community order with a requirement that he must undertake 30 rehabilitation activity days.
Barrett was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.
Barrett's laptop was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
Following the sentencing, a spokesman for NSPCC said Barrett's actions 'played a part in fuelling a heinous industry' and spoke how the children featured are 'often the victims of child sexual abuse'.
He said: “By downloading and possessing indecent images of a child, Barrett has played a part in fuelling a heinous industry.
“The children in content like this are often the victims of child sexual abuse, which can ruin the lives of the youngest members of our society.
“More needs to be done by technology companies and social network sites to prevent the publication and distribution of materials like this.”
Adults with a concern about the welfare of a child can contact the NSPCC’s helpline for advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk 24/7, 365 days a year.
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