Student admits having indecent images

A COLLEGE student who had indecent images of under-age boys on his computer was “questioning his own sexuality” at the time.

Lewis Saunders (18) admitted at an earlier hearing of Oldham magistrates four counts of making and possessing indecent photographs of a child. The case was adjourned until yesterday, when magistrates sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison suspended for two years.

Gareth Hughes, prosecuting, said police had received intelligence that a 10-year-old child was being sexually abused, which led them to the defendant’s address in Merlin Close, Oldham.

Saunders used a bogus name to create an online profile, attached with images of young boys he had found on the internet. There were 14 indecent images. Analysis found Saunders had used the words “child porn” and similar phrases in search engines.

John Wright, defending, said Saunders was at college at the time and suffering from anxiety and depression. He is now more stable and in a relationship with another man.

“He’s no longer confused as he was then,” said Mr Wright. “He accepts this was wrong — he’s deeply remorseful.”

Saunders was also given a supervision order for 36 months, and order to take an internet sexual offender treatment programme. A sexual prevention order also means he can’t contact or make images of any male he knows or believes to be under 16. He was ordered to costs of £165.