Locations
Hamsterley Crescent, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE9
Description
Aiden Nicholson, of Gateshead, claimed he possessed the indecent images accidentally and denied having a sexual attraction to children
A computer specialist caught with indecent images of children as young as three has walked free from court.
Software engineer Aiden Nicholson had downloaded hundreds of indecent images, some depicting youngsters who were in pain and distress.
A court heard he claimed to have possessed them accidentally while downloading legal pornography but he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images. He also admitted having an extreme pornography image depicting someone having sex with a dog.
Now Nicholson, 25, of Hamsterley Crescent, Wrekenton, Gateshead, whose partner and family are standing by him, has been given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
Police went to his home with a warrant in July last year and found the illegal material on a memory card.
There were 193 pictures and videos of the most serious type, category A, 93 category B and 801 category C.
When he was arrested he said he downloaded a large amount of adult pornography which he then found contained indecent images of children.
Nicholson, also known as Mynard, denied having a sexual attraction to children.
The children featured in the videos were aged between three and 17.
Penny Hall, prosecuting, said: "There was pain and distress suffered by children in some of the images."
Recorder Keir Monteith QC sentenced Nicholson to 16 months, suspended for two years, with 300 hours unpaid work, a 500 fine. He must also do a sex offenders treatment programme and sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Joe Culley, defending, said Nicholson had written a letter expressing remorse and demonstrating insight into the impact of his offending.
He added that he has taken steps to ensure there is no repeat.
Mr Culley said: "He has a good job which provides him with a reasonably good level of income, he works as an IT specialist.
"He's in a long term relationship and plans to move in with his long-term girlfriend. She knows of what he has pleaded guilty to.
"There are character references from people who say they find this type of offending to be out of his character. There are two sides to his character.
"He is a blood donor and gives blood as often as he can."
Mr Culley said Nicholson's employer was not aware of the nature of the proceedings but that he expected to be able to keep his job.