Russell Liddell 55

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A North Shields paedophile was found in possession of sickening indecent images that depicted children in "pain and distress".

Russell Liddell had already received a community order in 2011 after being found in possession of child sexual abuse images. But the 53-year-old was hauled back to Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday after being found with more indecent material after police went to his home on April 8, 2020, seized electronic items and found category A, B, and C images.

The court heard that children as young as three-years-old were found on his devices. Liddell appeared at the court to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said an SD card, flash-drives and a hard-drive were seized when officers raided his home. A total of 17 category A, 10 category B, and 1,227 category C images were discovered, which depicted children between the ages of three and 16-years-old. Mr Pallister said some of the material included videos and showed children in "pain and distress".

The court heard that in 2011, Liddell, of Glendower Avenue, North Shields, was given a three year community order after being found in possession of indecent images. Mr Pallister said: "The defendant had left a mobile phone on a bus, which was found and examined. Indecent images were found and the phone was traced back to the defendant. His home was searched and 4,236 indecent images were recovered."

Adam Birkby, defending, said the "vast majority" of images that Liddell was found in possession of in 2020 were category C. He said: "This is a rather unusual case. He explained that some images had been downloaded as part of the last offending, not all of the images were new images." Mr Birkby said that the images had "triggered an addiction" and said he had a "complex mental health history". He added: "He leads a very isolated life and recognises he needs professional help."

The court was told that Liddell works from home for a call-centre and is a carer for his elderly father. Mr Birkby said that an immediate prison sentence would have an impact on him.

Sentencing Liddell, Recorder Ian Mullarkey said he had an "entrenched sexual interest in children" and handed him a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He ordered him to complete 55 rehabilitation activity days and made him subject of a four month electronic curfew. He must complete a sex offender programme and was made subject of a 15 year sexual harm prevention order. He will also be on the sex offender's register for 10 years.