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National
Sara Nichol

Fawdon man facing jail after being caught with 2,800 vile child sex abuse images

A pervert is facing jail after being caught with more than 2,800 vile child sex abuse images.

Neil Roberts amassed his sick collection, which included one photo in the most serious category, over an eight-year period between 2010 and 2018. A court heard that the 50-year-old's sordid secret was discovered by police in 2018.

Roberts, of Warrington Road, in Fawdon, Newcastle, appeared at the city's magistrates' court to plead guilty to two counts of making an indecent image of a child and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child. Jonathan Straughan, prosecuting, said Roberts's disgusting collection included 2,822 category C photos and one category A, which is the most serious kind and involves penetrative sexual activity.

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Roberts downloaded the pictures between May 26 2010 and December 7 2018, Mr Straughan added.

The court heard that Roberts had pleaded guilty, was remorseful and had already engaged with a project called Safer Lives, which specialises in addressing potentially harmful sexual behaviours.

Adjourning the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, chairing magistrate, Stephen Cape, said: "We're dealing with offences, one very serious involving category A images, and other C images but multiple images. We have decided to keep the case in the magistrates' court but it's just on the cusp of going to the crown court.

"However, we have the option of committing it to the crown court after a pre-sentence report has been prepared. The report will be in the custody bracket."

Roberts was released on unconditional bail to next appear before the same court on June 22. In the meantime, he must sign the Sex Offenders' Register.

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