Sunderland graduate training to be a teacher caught with indecent images of children

Adam Wright amassed a total of 233 images of children between the ages of six and 18 during a period of offending spanning 10 years.

After initially denying the allegations, the 28-year-old pleaded guilty at a second interview with police.

Wright, of Humbledon Park, Sunderland, admitted three counts of possession of indecent images of a child between 2007 and 2017.

Seventy-three of those images were in the most serious category.

He also admitted possessing two prohibited images, which contained cartoons of a child.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told Newcastle Crown Court, sitting at the Moot Hall: "On May 4, 2017 a search warrant was executed at the defendant's home address in Sunderland.

"A number of computer items were seized. These items were later analysed and indecent images of children were found.

"An expert in his report confirmed that the ages of the children in the images are to be between six and 18 years of age."

The court heard how 60 of the vile images downloaded by the defendant featured children under the age of 10.

David Callan, mitigating, told the court how Wright is a university graduate with a degree in psychology, and previously part-owned a bar Sunderland.

He said: "As you can see from the pre-sentence report, he is a man of total good character before this.

"He has suffered heavily already for this offending.

"He was in the middle of a teacher training course. He was interested in teaching in prison.

"That, of course, is now out the window.

"It is clear from the ambit of this offending that he started when he was just 17.

"What the psychiatric report does explain and describe is that he is an isolated individual and has just had one serious relationship in his whole life that lasted two years.

"The risk he poses to others is low."

He also told the court how the defendant suffered from panic and anxiety disorders, as well as an alcohol problem.

Recorder Simon Jackson handed Wright a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.

Whilst sentencing, Recorder Jackson said: "Of concern is the fact that to the team of probation officers and the psychiatrist you have sought to minimise the nature of your activity and your denial of having a sexual interest in children.

"I must also have regard to the fact that you are unwell in the fact that you have a personality problem.

"If you do not comply with the rehabilitation requirements then you will be brought back for re-sentence.

"If you think you can go online and persist with your sexual interest in minors you will be sentenced for this again and for further offences.

"People who have these interests return to it, but if you do you will be here again so take the chance that you have been given."

He was also ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation requirement, was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on an electronically monitored tag.