Daniel Lawton, aged 30, was handed a suspended jail term by magistrates for offending which came to light in August 2024.

Prosecutor George Shelley told Lawton’s sentencing hearing at the city’s Rickergate court: “Based on information from external law enforcement agencies, Cumbria police identified Mr Lawton as a suspect.”

Lawton was arrested, interviewed and a number of electronic devices were seized. These included a mobile phone. Recovered from this phone were indecent images of children.

Five of these images were classed in category A — the most serious. Five more were in category B and a further six in category C.

Lawton, latterly of Alexander Street, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to making the 16 indecent images.

Magistrates suspended an eight-month prison sentence for two years. Lawton must undergo up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, delivered by the probation service. These will address a number of issues, including thinking skills.

Lawton must abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order. He is also subject to sex offender notification requirements, which give him a legal obligation to keep police up to date with specified personal details.