August 2002

Man jailed over child porn

A PERVERT who had more than 400 images of child porn at his home in Stockton Heath has been sent to prison.

Barrie Platts, aged 50, of Limetree Avenue, wept at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday as his sentence was read out.

Joanne Parsons, prosecuting, told the court that a joint investigation between Greater Manchester and Hertfordshire police had led to officers executing a search warrant at Platts’ home, where they seized computer and video equipment.

She said that Platts, who runs his own painting and decorating business, had downloaded child porn over a period of around a year.

Edward Timpson, defending, told the court that Platts had downloaded the images for his own personal use and there was no suggestion that it had been distributed to anyone else, and that the computer was used solely by him and nobody else.

When Platts was arrested he was very distressed and said he was sorry for what he had done, and has co-operated with the police from the outset of the investigation, Mr Timpson said.

Platts’ wife is standing by him, and he is also undergoing counselling sessions.

Mr Timpson said: “He says he is disgusted and horrified at what he has done and felt that he needed help.”

Platts had pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child or children, and four other charges of making an indecent photo or pseudo-photograph of a child.

He will serve 12 months in prison and has also signed the sex offenders’ register.