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Chronicle Live
National
David Huntley

Bishop Auckland pervert found with indecent images including hour-long video of child being abused

A County Durham pervert was found in possession of sickening indecent images - including an hour-long video of a child being abused.

Jonathan McCue was found with over 200 indecent images of children when police searched his home on January 21, last year and a mobile phone was seized. Category A, B and C images were discovered, and McCue admitted to officers he had accessed a Russian website where the material could be viewed.

McCue, of Tilred Walk, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, appeared at Durham Crown Court on April 28 to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.

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Elizabeth Muir, prosecuting, said police went to his home and seized a Samsung mobile phone following a "voluntary search". She said: "The phone was examined and images were found. The defendant was interviewed and he made full admissions and stated he had made searches for naked boys and accessed a Russian website. He denied having a sexual interest in children."

The court heard that one hour-long video was also found, which was "particularly bad".

Ms Muir said that McCue, 32, had no previous convictions, but had been given a caution in 2009 for distributing an indecent image. In police interview, he told officers he had "got into trouble for something similar before".

Chris Baker, defending, said McCue had "very supportive people" around him, and did not address the court further after Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, indicated he would not impose an immediate prison sentence. The court heard McCue was on the autistic spectrum and had "some learning difficulties".

Sentencing McCue, Judge Adkin, said the indecent material found was "repellent". He said: "You must know by now that viewing and downloading this material is illegal and wicked...if you do this again you will go to prison. If I see you again in this court again for indecent images of children you will go downstairs and to prison."

McCue was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days. A seven-year sexual harm prevention order was also made, and McCue will be on the sex offender's register for seven years.

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