Padiham father who downloaded child porn could be jailed

Colin Edward Thompson (35) was caught when police raided his family home last September. Thompson had looked at four pictures at category B – the second most serious level – and 29 photos at level C on his laptop, as well as 13 cartoons from a Japanese website. He owned up straight away and said he had deleted each image after he had viewed it, Burnley magistrates were told.

Thompson, who has never been in trouble before, could now be facing jail, after he was committed to Burnley Crown Court for sentence by the justices. The defendant, of Ingham Street, admitted four counts of making an indecent photograph of a child – category B and C images, on July 28th, 2011 – two charges of possessing an indecent photograph of a child – two images at level B and 27 pictures at level C – on or between July 26th, 2011 and last September 18th and two allegations of possessing a prohibited image of a child, on August 30th, 2013. The offences took place in Burnley.

Thompson was conditionally bailed to be sentenced on October 12th and was ordered to sign the sexual offenders’ register.

Miss Alex Mann (prosecuting) told the hearing police went round to the defendant’s address last September with a search warrant.

Thompson admitted he had downloaded images and said that was due to depression. Miss Mann continued: “He said he normally suppressed the urge to do this but when he is depressed he couldn’t do so.”

The prosecutor said the images were found by officers in an in-depth search of his laptop. The defendant told police he had deleted each image once he had viewed it.

Mrs Rachel Cleary (defending) said “He has no previous convictions at all, of any nature. This is a man who needs help. This is a man who is crying out for help. He really does want that help and he is willing to work with the probation service.”