Sunderland man could be jailed after admitting to having more than 1,000 indecent images of children

Grey-haired Stephen Jefferson-Wright’s vile haul included 168 highest category A images, which typically show the most serious abuse, a court heard.

Detectives also discovered 325 category B images and 577 category C images, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Jefferson-Wright, 61, of St Leonard Street, Hendon, has been warned the starting point for his crimes is a year behind bars.

Prosecutor Ansab Shan said the photos were discovered during a police search of his then home in Hedworth Court, Hendon, on July 8, 2018.

He said: “Officers have attended the address after they have received intelligence that the occupier was in possession of indecent images.

“The address is where the defendant resides. Images have been retrieved.

“What’s come out is 168 category A images, 325 category B photos and 577 category C images.

“Category A images have a starting point of one year.

“Over 150 are category A images, which is the top category.”

Michael Robinson, defending, said Jefferson-Wright was quizzed and immediately admitted the photos were on his devices.

He added: “He had, in simple terms, been using adult porn sites due to personal circumstances of a medical nature.

“The images were bundled up with some of the stuff on those sites.

“This is the point, the images can descend into your computer and sit in your C Drive, you don’t have to be looking.

“The report makes clear that some couldn’t have been accessed without specialist materials. They are sitting there.

“He accepts that he was in possession. They were just sitting on the C Drive. In the circumstances, there was no option but to plead guilty.”

Jefferson-Wright pleaded guilty to six charges of possession of indecent images of children.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent his case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, July 29.

The court heard Jefferson-Wright was of previous good character and there had been no repetition of offending since his arrest.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.