Locations
Farden Drive, Manchester, M22 8LB
Description
A man caught with sick images of children as young as one 'can't explain' why he had them, a court heard.
Such images 'revolt' and sicken' Christopher Nolan, his barrister said.
But Nolan, 26, was found to have downloaded 63 indecent images, with more than 20 being of the most serious category.
Nolan, from Wythenshawe, admitted he'd 'brought shame' on himself and his family.
He had 'time on his hands' and had been drinking as well as using cocaine and cannabis, Manchester Crown Court heard.
"There is some issue as to what motivated the defendant," his barrister Richard Vardon said.
"I cannot explain satisfactorily how these offences occurred, nor perhaps can the defendant.
"All I can point to is there is nothing in his history which suggests he has a predilection as far as children are concerned."
Mr Vardon said there 'may be other reasons which are not sexual which perhaps explain his motivation'.
Nolan, who has previous convictions including for domestic violence, denies that he had any interest in 'child pornography' and said it 'revolts and sickens him'.
Police went to his home after receiving information that he had been accessing indecent images.
A Samsung phone was seized after a warrant was executed, on March 24 last year.
Officers found 22 category A images, the most serious type, as well as 13 category B and 28 category C images.
"The majority of the images related to five to 10-year-old children, however the ages of the children ranged from between one and 12-years-old," prosecutor Neil Fryman said.
He said 'virtually all' of the images had been deleted, except one.
Nolan made no comment to all questions during his police interview, except confirming a mobile phone number was his.
Mr Vardon said Nolan's actions were at the 'lower end of offences of this nature', while saying the defendant recognised it is 'not a victimless crime'.
He pleaded guilty at first opportunity and no longer drinks, uses drugs or goes on the internet, the barrister said.
Sentencing, Judge Hilary Manley told Nolan: "You rightly described to me in your letter you have submitted to me, that you have brought shame on yourself, your friends and your family for the offences you have committed.
"Such images are of victims of sexual abuse.
"You have observed and watched children who are being sexually abused.
"There can be no excuse ever for viewing and accessing such images."
The judge said she could avoid sending Nolan to prison, given he has a prospect of rehabilitation and because of his remorse.
He was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete the Horizon programme.
Nolan, of Farden Drive, must sign the sex offender's register for ten years.
He admitted three counts of making indecent images of children.