Man with child abuse images gets treatment

A man who was found with a collection of horrific images of child abuse on his computer has been barred from working with children and young '¨people, and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th May 2016, 08:40 BST
Updated 6th May 2016, 14:50 BST
Preston Crown Court. PIC BY ROB LOCKPreston Crown Court. PIC BY ROB LOCK
Preston Crown Court. PIC BY ROB LOCK

Ian Walsh, of Moor Road, Chorley, admitted possessing indecent images of children between January 1 and August 22 last year at his address in Chorley.

It relates to 733 images being found of youngsters.

The 28-year-old also admitted three counts of making indecent images of children.

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Preston Crown Court heard those charges related to 161 images deemed to be category A - the most serious - with a further 156 pictures at 
category B and 440 at category C.

Police had attended his home in the town and carried out a raid on August 21 last year, while he was absent from the address.

Officers seized a number of electrical items seized, which contained indecent images of children.

Later the same day, Walsh turned up at Chorley Police Station to inquire what was happening at his house.

He was then arrested.

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Judge Jonathan Gibson, sentencing, discharged him conditionally for two years but imposed a three-year community order with a requirement to attend the internet sex offenders’ treatment programme. He also imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention 
order (SHPO) restricting and 
monitoring his internet use, including banning him from deleting his internet search history.

Walsh had also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to custody at Skelmersdale Police Station in February as the probe into his activities was ongoing.

A police spokesman said: “Protecting the public, 
especially children, from harm and abuse is an absolute 
priority for Lancashire Constabulary and with our partners we will continue to proactively target offenders who use the internet to view or exchange indecent images of children and help safeguard those children who have become, or are at risk of becoming, victims.”