Wath man who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children spared jail

Jonathan Welch (35), of Oaklands Place, Wath, downloaded 1,137 images to his computer, including 264 category A images — the most extreme kind.

He was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

Miss Susan Evans, prosecuting, said police officers had called at Welch’s address in September, 2017, and spoken to his father.

Welch came to the door, told officers he was the man they were looking for and handed over his laptop.

“The computer was seized and an overall analysis of the laptop revealed 264 category A images, 299 category B images, of which two were movies, and 574 category C images,” said Miss Evans.

“All of those were inaccessible to a normal user of a computer.”

Officers found software on Welch’s computer which was designed to destroy any evidence of the images.

“The defendant was arrested and later interviewed and he made no comment in interview,” said Miss Evans.

The children depicted in the images ranged in age from two to 12.

“There were a large number of different individuals but it’s not possible to tell you how many,” said Miss Evans.

“There was discernable pain by the children in some of the images.”

Welch pleaded guilty to making indecent pseudo-photographs of children at a previous hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

A pseudo-photograph is an image made by computer graphics or otherwise which appears to be a photograph.

Mitigating, Mr Dermot Hughes said Welch felt “genuine remorse” for his actions.

“He needs a lot of help to guard against any risk of repetition and against any offending of this kind,” said Mr Hughes.

“He understands that this offending is despicable.

“He, now removed from it, abhors it and is, of course, anxious to avoid any engagement or activity with it.”

Sentencing, Recorder Paul Reid ordered Welch to complete 60 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was given a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and will be made to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Mr Reid said: “These sorts of images are appalling.

“They stem from abuse and their dissemination among the population is further abuse.”

Mr Reid said children in some of the images were clearly showing signs of pain and suffering.

“Your frankness and candour in your pre-sentence report give a good indication that you will be suitable for treatment from a probation service programme to ensure you do not commit any offence of this nature again,” he said.

The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on a second count of distributing indecent pseudo-photographs of children and a not guilty verdict was returned.