A paedophile caught with disgusting images of children being raped and abused also had memes joking about children being raped
Thomas Goodyear, 24, originally told police he downloaded the material not to view it, but to try to track down those responsible for its distribution. But that was a lie.
Goodyear, formerly of Penryn but now living out of county, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children, possession of prohibited images and possession of cannabis.
Prosecuting the case, Ed Bailey described how in January 2020 police received a tip-off from the National Crime Agency that a child abuse website had been accessed via the dark web at an address where Goodyear lived at the time.
Officers carried out a raid and a number of devices were seized. On those devices 171 child abuse cartoons were found, as well as 25 Category A images involving the rape of girls aged 8 to 15, 28 Category B images and 130 Category C.
There were also links showing that Goodyear had viewed child abuse videos. As well as the images police found disgusting memes making a joke of child abuse and 11 grams of cannabis.
In his first interview Goodyear claimed he stumbled across the images on the dark web and, disgusted and intrigued, he attempted to track down who created and distributed the material, but not viewing it himself.
Eventually, Goodyear was left stumped when police asked him why his media player showed that he had watched the child abuse videos.
Sentencing Goodyear, Judge Anna Richardson said that the memes “minimised the seriousness of child abuse” and that his excuse given to police showed “a lack of responsibility and realisation” about what he had done. She added: “I’ve read the pre-sentence report and it is clear you began to experience a degree of isolation and following the passing of your father your life became focussed on online activities resulting in a degree of detachment from what you were looking at.
“You have engaged well and appear to understand these are real victims. I accept you are remorseful and someone who is considered honest, sincere and a good family member. I also note in more than two years there has been no further offending.”
Goodyear was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and the Horizons sex offenders’ treatment programme. He was also made subject of a five year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
Paedophile collected hundreds of despicable images
A paedophile appeared in court and admitted having hundreds of indecent and prohibited images of children.
Thomas Goodyear, 24, appeared at Truro Crown Court where he admitted four charges relating to child abuse images and one drugs.
Goodyear, formerly of Penryn but who has since moved to Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to five charges.
They were three counts of making indecent images of children (one for each respective category), possession prohibited images of children and possession of cannabis.
By entering the pleas Goodyear admitted having 25 Category A images, two Category B images, 130 Category C images, 171 prohibited images and around 10 grams of cannabis.
Softly spoken and smartly dressed Goodyear must also now be subjected to notification requirements as a result of his plea.
He was not sentenced right away as a number of issues were flagged in regards his background that necessitate a full pre-sentence report before he learns his fate.
Goodyear was granted unconditional bail and will return to court for sentencing in early May
