Cops find vile image of a 10-year-old girl being abused on Sunderland sex offender's mobile phone

Andrew Gibson, 40, had the sickening snap on a mobile phone when electronic devices were seized from Borrowdale Crescent, Penshaw.

The worst level category A image was among a total of 29 illegal photos uncovered on the Samsung phone.

Magistrates in South Tyneside were told smart-suited Gibson also has a conviction for indecently assaulting a schoolgirl more than 20 years ago.

He could be jailed after pleading guilty to three charges of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said police found one category A image, two category B and 26 category C, the least serious type.

She added: “Possession of one image has a starting point of 12 months.”“On July 6, 2019, officers attended the defendant’s address and seized a number of devices.

“One came back for images, it was a Samsung mobile phone.

“The category A image was of a girl aged 10-years-old.”

The prosecutor also said there had been keyword searches carried out for specific types of content relating to abuse of children.

The court heard Gibson later voluntarily attended a police station, and was charged.

Ms Duffy added: “He also has one conviction from one offence of indecent assault of a female.”

Gibson’s latest charges relate to dates between March 8 and July 6, 2019.

Richard Copsey, defending, said Gibson’s was a “borderline case” that could be dealt with by magistrates rather than a judge at crown court.

He added: “There was an immediate guilty plea at the police station and here today.

“He said to me, ‘I want full credit for this, I want to be dealt with as soon as possible’. There was full cooperation with the police.

“He is a man who is most anxious to have this matter dealt with as early as possible.”

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, and told Gibson he will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, July 23.

They ordered a pre-sentence report into his offending and told him he was now subject to the conditions of the Sex Offenders Register.

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