Ex-soldier had child porn on PC

AN ex-soldier who kept dozens of indecent pictures and videos of children on his computer has walked free after his former commanding officer described him as an “upright and decent young man.”

John Maybury (24), of Gatley Brow, Oldham, was caught with 33 separate videos and pictures of young children on his PC.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, he pleaded guilty to 17 counts of possessing indecent images of children. Maybury had 13 videos of young children and 20 pictures.

Maybury, who received medals for his service in Afghanistan, was sentenced to a three-year community and supervision order, and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.

He had downloaded the pictures and videos from the Internet but said that he was going to take them to police to show them “what was out there”, but was too scared.

However, records on his laptop showed Maybury had been accessing various websites and searched for child porn.

Maybury had been in the Army since 2005, also serving in Germany, and was discharged due to medical reasons last year.

Kim Irving, prosecuting, said: “Police officers raided the house in Gatley Brow and two laptops and a computer tower were recovered.

“He admitted to having child pornography and storing it in two folders on a computer. One for the stills and one for motion.

“He said that the images had been inadvertently downloaded when he was trying to download adult pornography.

“He said that he tried to get the images for the police but was scared he would get into trouble.

“He had carried out some Internet searches for child pornography. He then put the images into the folder with the intention of handing them to the police.”

Mr Ciaran Rankin, defending, said Maybury was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added: “You have read letters from his family and his Army commander. This is not a man who runs the risk of breaching any order of the court.”

Judge Jeffrey Lewis said Maybury had made a terrible mistake, adding: “You had images at level 3 and level 4 and on the face of it that puts you in offending that crosses the custodial threshold.

“However, you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Secondly you have never been in trouble before and you have served your country.

“Thirdly, it has been said, and I accept, that this is a relatively small amount.

“I have read letters on your behalf from your family, your partner and I have also read a letter from your commanding officer in the Army which says you are an upright and decent young man.”