Child sex pervert said vile images were planted on his computer by the Government
A child sex pervert who was caught with a “huge library of vile images” incredibly tried to claim they had been planted there as part of a Government conspiracy, a court has heard.
Mark Dickson. 61, of Valley Walk, Rocester, near Uttoxeter, continued to deny he had anything to do with the 584 indecent images and videos of children that were discovered on his phone and computers by police.
However, on the first day he was due to stand trial, the 61-year-old, who has terminal cancer, had a change of heart and pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images and one charge of distributing disgusting images involving children.
Judge Jonathan Gosling told Dickson at the hearing: “Your denial of sexual interest in young girls is ridiculous. Your huge library of vile images speaks volumes.”
The judge also said he would have had “no hesitation” in sending Dickson straight to jail but was told of his terminal cancer diagnosis and regular medical treatment he has to undergo.
Stafford Crown Court heard that at 7am on October 19, 2017, Dickson’s home was searched by police. He became hostile towards officers and was arrested, the court was told.
Several devices were found: a Samsung phone, and two computers, and indecent photos were found on all three devices. The court heard he lived alone so these devices could only have belonged to the defendant.
Dickson admitted making 144 indecent images of children classed as Category A, which are the worst kind of images. He also admitted making 182 indecent videos and photos classed as Category B; and 189 images and videos in Category C.
The offences happened between May 11, 2010, and October 13, 2017. He also admitted distributing 69 indecent images in October 2017. The court heard that some of the images and videos contained the rape of girls as young as four years old.
During interviews with the police he remained silence or offered no comment as he was questioned about the vile stash.
However, he pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial having previously claimed the material was planted as part of a Government conspiracy.
Dickson was given a nine-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years. He will also be a registered sex offender for 10 years and will be the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
