Jail for porn pervert who downloaded sick images of children

Former IT student Michael Harrison (22) was banned under the SOPO from having an internet ready mobile phone and digital video recorder and from going on the web. But, he spent 14 hours on the internet on a phone and went on Facebook using another name, so police would not know it was him, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Harrison, formerly of Badger Close, Padiham, made national headlines in 2005, when he was said to have his lost his sight to a rare genetic condition, but later partially regained it. The same year the defendant, who claims he was abused as a child and young man, was given a warning by police over allegations he indecently assaulted two schoolboys.

Harrison, who committed his latest offences while staying in Accrington, admitted two charges of making an indecent photo of a child, breaching a suspended sentence, falling to comply with the sex offenders’ register and four counts of failing to comply with the SOPO. He had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

The court was told how Harrison had been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register, under which he must tell police of a change of address within three days, for 10 years, and had also been given a five-year SOPO.

The orders were made last May, after he was caught with a sadistic sex video and bestiality clip. He had been given 42 weeks in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to take part in a sex offenders’ programme.

Miss Amanda Johnson (prosecuting) said Harrison notified police of an address change, but it was a day late.

On July 9th, police paid him a routine visit and he produced a mobile phone, which was not internet enabled. Unbeknown to officers, he had bought another phone, which did have internet access, days before. He was arrested three days later and on it, police found two obscene images of boys, at levels four and one.

Miss Johnson said the phone had been used to access the internet for more than 14 hours and Harrison had operated a Facebook page in his birth name, Michael Hatton. The surname Harrison was the name he had after he was adopted. Police searched the Accrington address and found a digital camera.

The defendant, who also used to work for Asda, was interviewed and said he knew he had breached the SOPO.

Mr Kevin Donnelly (defending) said Harrison was given a chance by not being sent to custody, but “appears to have demonstrated a wholesale disregard for the terms of the order made”.

Mr Donnelly said: “The photos show the predilections of this man and he is unable to restrain himself even when subject to court orders.”

The barrister said that since he had been on remand, Harrison had recognised custody was perhaps the best place for him in the short term.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson extended the sex offences’ prevention order to 10 years. He told Harrison: “It is extremely disturbing in your case that you have failed entirely to co-operate with the requirements of the suspended sentence.” The judge continued: “It’s a great shame you didn’t do so, as that would reduce your risk.”