James Mercer 43

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A paedophile who collected nearly 2,000 child sex abuse images was today told he could face prison.

James Mercer, 41, was handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) in 2013 after he was caught downloading indecent images of children. The 10-year order prevented him from accessing the internet unless he retained the browsing history and made it available for inspection by police.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard when officers performed a routine check on his computer equipment as part of the SOPO, they discovered a vile stash of indecent material. Mercer, of Ashburn Avenue, Tower Hill, Kirkby, later admitted possessing 1,997 indecent images of children, which according to the charge he downloaded between May 16, 2018 and March 17, 2021.

He pleaded guilty to downloading 368 Category A images - the most serious category involving child rape - plus 323 Category B and 1,306 Category C files. Mercer also admitted possessing seven prohibited [cartoon or animated] images of a child.

Jonathan Duffy, prosecuting, said Mercer was not in fact in breach of the SOPO when the sex offender appeared in the dock for sentencing this morning, as he had not disguised his search history. Mercer, with long grey hair and beard and wearing a black coat, spoke only to confirm his personal details.

Charles Lander, defending, said at a previous court hearing the case was adjourned for the defence to obtain a psychiatric report. He said that report would then be served on the Probation Service, so they could prepare an "addendum" to an existing pre-sentence report.

However, the court heard the psychiatric report had only been made available to the Probation Service today. Mr Lander said he therefore would apply for an adjournment.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told Mercer that "regrettably" it would take the Probation Service four weeks to prepare the addendum report. The judge adjourned sentencing until April 28 and remanded Mercer on bail until that date.

However, he warned Mercer that the fact he was adjourning the case and requesting the addendum report should not be taken by him as an indication of the eventual sentence in his case. Judge Trevor-Jones told him: "All options remain open and that includes immediate custody. Is that clear?"

"Yes," mumbled Mercer from beneath a face mask, before he shuffled out of court, carrying a black rucksack.