Sunderland man caught with 6,000 child abuse images

A man caught with thousands of child abuse images on his internet devices has kept his freedom.

Police seized a computer tower and phone during a raid at Brian Carter's home in March 2021 and illegal material was found on them both.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Carter was questioned then released on bail but police searched his home again that September and more abuse images were found, on a mobile phone.

Prosecutor Joe Culley told the court a total of more than 6,000 pictures and movies featuring abuse of children were on the devices, as well as 10 computer generated images and 12 of extreme pornography, involving animals.

Mr Culley said the children in the images, which were across all three categories of seriousness, were aged between five and 16.

Carter, 53, of Bailey Square, Sunderland, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children, one of possessing prohibited images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography.

Judge Gavin Doig sentenced him to 21 months, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and 100 hours unpaid work.

Carter was ordered to abide by a sexual harm prevention order and sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Judge Doig said: "It is clear the probation service are of the view the risk you pose can be reduced if they are given the opportunity to work with you and you co-operate with them.

"My main concern is to punish you and perhaps more importantly to reduce the risk you pose of future offending.

"If I sent you to custody, which you richly deserve, you would be released in a few months and that work would not be done."

Neil Jones, defending, said Carter is in employment and wants to accept all help offered to him.

The court heard Carter has never been in trouble before.