Sunderland man jailed after attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
A Sunderland man who thought he was having online sex chat with a 13-year-old boy was caught in a police sting and has been put behind bars.
As a result of the sickening internet exchange, officers raided James Carr's home and found his collection of vile abuse images, some of which he had shared over the an app and some featuring children as young as two.
Newcastle Crown Court heard a law enforcement operative had set up a profile on the Hornet adult dating site in November last year.
After a brief exchange on the site, Carr sent the decoy a picture of his privates and they connected on Snapchat.
Despite being told he was chatting to a 13-year-old schoolboy Carr said "I don't mind at all" and sent another graphic picture and a video, both of himself.
Prosecutor Matthew Hopkins said Carr was arrested, his computer devices were examined and 150 illegal images, both still and moving, were found.
Mr Hopkins told the court: "The children depicted in the images range from an estimated two years old up to 12 years old.
"Some of the images depicted children suffering discernible pain and distress."
Mr Hopkins said the app communications network was found on Carr's mobile phone and he had used the app to distribute a total of 14 abuse images to two different users.
Carr, 28, of Western Terrace, Washington, Tyne and Wear, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, three offences of making indecent photographs of a child and three of distributing indecent photographs of a child.
Mr Recorder Peter Makepeace KC sentenced him to two years behind bars and told him: "I don't feel the public would feel justice had been done if I were to suspend the sentence."
The court heard Carr has been diagnosed with autistic syndrome disorder but is "highly intelligent" and has a good employment history.
Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, said Carr was not speaking to an actual child but accepted this was "sheer luck rather than any design" and added: "He feels shame and disappointment with himself. He has made clear his genuine remorse, utter disgust and his shame at being before the court for offending in this way."
Miss Allinson-Howells said Carr was isolated and alone when he committed the offences and found it easier to have online conversations rather than in person.