Volume of internet porn stuns judge

A CROWN Court Judge has publicly lamented the volume of “vile Internet trade” in child pornography.

The remarks were made by Judge Jeffrey Lewis at the sentencing of a 58-year-old Shaw man found to have more than 4,600 indecent images stored on three laptops.

Gary Davis was arrested almost two years ago, but Manchester Crown Court was told it was 18 months before the computer equipment could be examined because of a huge backlog of similar equipment waiting to be checked.

Judge Lewis commented: “It is a sad indictment of our society when already-limited resources have to be squandered in this way. It took so long for this hardware to be examined because of the sheer volume of equipment waiting.”

Sentencing Davis, of Hillside Avenue, he said: “You became involved in an industry which any right-thinking person cannot understand. Why anyone would want to involve themselves either as an observer, or a participant is beyond comprehension.”

Davis was caught after an investigation into Internet porn traced indecent images of children to his home address in May, 2013.

When examined, two of his laptops were found to have almost 400 images on them, including 25 Category A pictures — extreme pornography. Analysis of the third computer revealed more than 4,200 images.

Andrew Evans prosecuting, said the vast majority of the images were of the lowest classification, but a small number were far more serious.

Mr Evans said it took 18 months to assess what was on the computers because of the “phenomenal” number of similar items waiting to be examined.

Philip Parry, defending, said his client had experienced unfortunate circumstances, and had found himself searching for images on the Internet for his own gratification.

He said Davis had expressed relief that he had been caught, because it had been a catalyst to seek help.

Davis who admitted 20 counts of making and possessing indecent images of children, was made subject to a three-year community order, which includes a sex offenders’ treatment programme. He will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order

Judge Lewis said: “You recognised that you were in a spiral of addiction and you have made sincere and determined efforts to deal with your problem.”

Judge Lewis said he took into account Davis had been a man of previous good character, had not been involved in the distribution of the images to others, and the majority of pictures found, though “repugnant in themselves” were of the lowest category.



In a separate case, a 40-year-old man has been found not guilty of two charges of sexual assault, one of rape and the attempted rape of a four-year-old girl last year.

Benjamin Del Rocio Garcia of Day Drive, Failsworth, was cleared of all charges by unanimous verdict at Manchester Crown Court on Friday.