A County Durham security guard who shared a child abuse image to a fellow paedophile on WhatsApp has avoided jail.
Brian Anderson was found in possession of over 270 sickening indecent images - which he'd amassed over a period of four years - when police went to his Stanley home. The 61-year-old had also distributed a category C indecent image via a WhatsApp message to another like-minded pervert on May 16, 2020.
Anderson, of Teesdale Terrace, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images and one count of distributing an indecent image. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
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Chris Morrison, prosecuting, said police went to Anderson's home after receiving information regarding indecent material. His address was searched and several electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phone, were seized and analysed. He said: "The distribution offence which was located showed the defendant involving himself in salacious conversations with a like-minded individual by WhatsApp message. The two men spoke of how they liked young men of a certain age."
Mr Morrison added Anderson "fully admitted his activity", and said he had been "going on a gay website where there was fully available child pornography". The court was told that 30 images were found on his mobile phone and that Anderson, who is a father and is married, was of previous good character. In mitigation, the court heard that Anderson was "regretful" of the offences and "takes full responsibility".
Sentencing Anderson, Recorder Thomas Moran, said he would get full credit for his guilty plea. He said: "Your house was searched nearly two years ago and you didn't try to minimise the seriousness. You are married, but your wife remains supportive and you have adult children." He added that Anderson works as a security guard and that his mental health is currently stable.
Anderson was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also given a 24-month community order and will have to do 30 rehabilitation activity days. He will be on the sex offender's register for seven years and a seven-year sexual harm prevention order was also made.
