Man downloaded 62 indecent images on phone recently bought from CEX
A pervert was found to have dozens of indecent images of children when he returned his phone to CEX a day after buying it.
James Myles Luke MacArthur, 49, of Burrell Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to making six indecent category A images, 14 category B images and 42 category C images.
He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on June 17 for the offences, relating to July 2018 in Poole.
Prosecuting, Brad Lawlor told the court: “The way in which the photos were discovered, the defendant bought a phone from the shop CEX.“He returned the phone the next day reporting it not working and asking for it to be repaired.”
Mr Lawlor said one of the employees took the phone to try and repair it. When he did, he came across a photo of a young girl naked in a room.
“The defendant returned to the store and requested the phone be returned to him,” the prosecutor continued.
“He went away and some minutes later said it was not functioning and asked for his money back.”
The prosecutor said the phone was examined by officers who found the images, containing female children aged eight to 13.
Police also found there had been attempts to delete the photos, which had been downloaded from “pirating websites”.
Judge Robert Pawson sentenced MacArthur to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
He said: “In July 2018 you downloaded images of children. I have got some concern that you are still, it seems, in denial as to whether you have a sexual interest in children.
“No one has images of female children aged between eight and 13 unless they have a sexual interest in children or they are an investigating police officer.
“The sooner you come to terms with that, the better for you and for society.
MacArthur was also ordered to carry out 40 rehabilitation requirement days, given a ten-week curfew from 9pm to 5am and made to notify as a sex offender for seven years.
