A disgraced banker who downloaded “repugnant” child porn from the internet was today starting a two-month prison sentence.
Joseph Leduc, 41, pleaded guilty at Basildon magistrates’ court to 15 counts of having “indecent images” of children.
Leduc, a father of three, will have his name added to the sex offenders’ register for the next seven years.
Stipendiary magistrate Kevin Gray told the Canadian-born computer buff that he found such pornographic material “repugnant.”
When police raided the defendant’s home in Lancaster Drive, Langdon Hills, they discovered the images and four computers in his bedroom.
His lawyer, Mark Savage, said twice-married Leduc was a man of good character who had suffered shame and humiliation because of the offences. He was now estranged from his second wife.
Mr Savage added: “He is unable to explain what happened to make him do this – or why it happened.
“He has suffered and continues to suffer because of this matter. He is now in need of counselling.”
Mr Savage told the court that Leduc’s banking career was in peril. His behaviour had also shocked his parents and children, aged between 16 and 20.
The maximum sentence for these offences is six months, but Leduc was given credit by the magistrate for his guilty plea and co-operation with police once the offences came to light.
