A CARLISLE man has been sentenced for downloading more than 6,000 illegal images of children.
Police visited the city home of Martin George Sanderson in January, seizing an Apple Mac Mini which was found to be “riddled” with illicit pictures.
Sanderson – a married father-of-two – appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today (MON). He admitted two counts of making indecent photographs of children – 19 in category B, and 6,215 in category C. The majority related to an illegal child modelling agency website, the court heard.
A man of previous good character, 46-year-old Sanderson had lost his driving job after being arrested by police and his family home was up for sale. However, he had made frank admissions about his offending, had expressed “embarrassment and shame”, and taken steps to seek help.
After considering mitigation and background information, Judge James Adkin imposed a community order comprising two years’ supervision, and rehabilitation.
“The impact, I am absolutely certain, has been tremendous already,” Judge Adkin said of the criminal conduct.
But the judge warned: “If you are caught with this sort of material again, prison beckons.”
Sanderson, of Skiddaw Road, must abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order, and sign the sex offenders’ register – both for five years.
