Man who downloaded child pornography has been spared jail

A store manager from Gainsborough who downloaded seven videos of the highest level child pornography on to his home computer has today (Friday, March 11) been ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.
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Billy Steven Middlemass, 31, was caught with the material after police received information that his computer IP address had been used to download images of children.

Lincoln Crown Court heard officers removed his computer after executing a search warrant at the home Middlemass shared with his new wife on Lindrick Drive, Gainsborough, in October 2014.

During his first interview Middlemass admitted using file sharing sites and viewing adult pornography.

Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, told the court Middlemass was something of a “tech guy” who was good with computers and worked as the manager of a retail store.

In his spare time Middlemass said he repaired computers for extra money and connected to his own Wifi while clearing viruses.

When police examined the computer owned by Middlesmass they found seven videos of child pornography. The videos had been separated and renamed with each one given a number.

Mr Dunne said the videos included girls as young as six-years-old and were in the highest category of child sexual abuse.

Mr Dunne added: “All had been opened and viewed by Windows Player.”

When he was re-interviewed Middlemass admitted having an interest in “teen porn” and told officers he visited his GP and had been diagnosed as an internet pron addict. The court heard Middlemass then sough counselling.

Mark Kelly, mitigating, said there were 13 references on behalf of Middlemass whose remorse was genuine.

Mr Kelly said: “He is otherwise a very decent young man. ”

Middlemass, 31, of Lindrick Drive, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to a charge of making seven indecent images of children between June 17 and 20, 2014.

He was sentenced to three years probation supervision, ordered to complete a sex offenders rehabilitation course and must pay £350 court costs. He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for five years.

Passing sentence Recorder Stuart Sprawson told Middlemass he could spare him jail as he had pleaded guilty and sought counselling.

The Recorder said: “I want to stop you further offending.”