A man who distributed indecent images of children has been jailed for two years.
Keith Skillen, 56, of Broom Bank, Whitehaven, received the sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after admitting a number of charges.
His crimes came to light following an investigation by Cumbria Police’s digital media investigation unit.
Skillen was arrested at home on October 31 last year, with detectives seizing his mobile phone and laptop computer.
The inquiry revealed the presence of indecent images of children on his devices – dated between June 2015 and October 2017, just three days before his arrest.
Skillen admitted:
- Three counts of making indecent images.
- One count of possessing indecent images.
- Three charges of distributing indecent images.
He received the total sentence of 24 months.
Skillen was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and must stay on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
Detective Sergeant James Bailey, of the force’s digital media investigation unit, welcomed the sentence.
He said: “This conviction will hopefully act as a further deterrent and warning to those who view and distribute illegal images.
“Our officers in the digital media investigation unit specialise in catching those who are committing these crimes.
“We will do everything in our power to bring them to justice.
“We encourage anyone who has any suspicions of any sort of abuse to contact us so we can investigate.”
