An Appleby man has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation and sign the sex offenders’ register for possessing illegal images showing children being abused.
Police executed a warrant at the home of 26-year-old Christopher Emmens and seized an electronic device. Forensic analysis revealed the presence of 46 indecent images of children.
Emmens admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of a child, possessing the illicit material and also having a prohibited picture of a child. The offences were committed between November 30 2020, and March 8 2021, and involved three images in category A — the most serious; 11 category B; and 32 category C.
Emmens, of Barrowmoor Road, Appleby, was handed his punishment at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.
District Judge John Temperley said a lengthy probation service report had been prepared to assist the sentencing process. During an interview, Emmens had displayed both remorse and an acceptance of what he had done, along with a willingness to engage with any work he was given as part of a non-custodial sentence.
District Judge Temperley observed, by way of mitigation, that the offences were committed during a relatively short period. There were only three images in the highest category A bracket, whereas some similar cases dealt with by courts involved “hundreds or thousands”.
“That is not to minimise the seriousness of these offences,” he told Emmens, concluding: “I am satisfied in your particular case I can draw back from a prison sentence.”
A two-year community order was imposed. Emmens must complete an accredited sex offender treatment course, other rehabilitation work and 100 hours’ community service. He must sign the sex offender and comply with the strict terms of a prevention order, both for five years. A deprivation order was made for the phone seized by police.
