Andrew Tonner 47

Description

Some of the disgusting material, which Andrew Tonner had downloaded, showed youngsters in 'extreme distress'

A twisted pervert had a vile collection of child sex abuse images and videos showing kids as young as two.

Andrew Tonner had downloaded the disturbing material online and some of it showed youngsters in "extreme distress", a court heard. The 46-year-old had only been accessing the photos and movies for three days when police intelligence showed it was being uploaded to his social media account and his Heaton home was searched.

In total, 15 sickening pictures and 19 videos were found on his electronic devices, despite him deleting some of the files. Ten photos and 18 movies were category A, the most serious kind that involve sexual penetration.

Tonner, who has since moved from Heaton to Landfall Drive, in Hebburn, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week to plead guilty to three counts of making an indecent image of a child. The offences were said to have taken place between November 11 and November 14 last year.

Prosecutor, April Hall, said the case should be sent to the crown court for sentence. She added: "Police had cause to attend the defendant's address on November 16 2021 following intelligence detailing the uploading of indecent images of children and it had been uploaded to a social media account linked to the defendant.

"The case is further aggravated by the age range of the children, approximately two to 14. There's also extreme distress caused to a child in one of the videos."

Mattew Purves, defending, agreed that the case should be sent to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence. Tonner was released on unconditional bail to next appear there on October 20, however, in the meantime, he must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.