Child porn sex fiend challenges court decision

Thomas Christopher Moore was handed a 12-month conditional discharge in February after being caught with nearly 90 indecent images at his home in Brierfield.

The 54-year-old, of Chapel Street, had previously admitted at Manchester Crown Court three counts of making indecent images of children.

He challenged his conviction and sentence at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, arguing he should not have been prosecuted and should have received an absolute discharge.

He also complained about the fact the judge ordered his computer to be confiscated. But his complaints were thrown out by top judges, who said the sentence passed was justified.

The court heard police raided Moore’s home in January, 2012, and removed his computer.

Officers found 88 images, all in the least serious category for child pornography, stored on the equipment.

Moore spent six weeks in prison on remand, before being moved to a mental hospital – where he spent nearly three months – because he was suffering from a “psychotic disorder”.

Despite that, doctors found he was fit to enter a plea and did not need further treatment in hospital. He argued the crown court judge did not take enough account of his mental illness and was wrong not to return his computer.

But, rejecting Moore’s appeal, Judge Neil Bidder QC said: “There is no merit in this appeal whatsoever.

“Moore pleaded guilty to unpleasant offending, for which an absolute discharge would have been an inappropriate response.

“Even having regard to the period of time he spent on remand and in hospital, and his mental illness, this appeal is totally without merit.”