ABDUL REHMAN CAUGHT WITH CHILD AND ANIMAL PORNOGRAPHY IN HUDDERSFIELD - SUSPENDED SENTENCE
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Huddersfield community, Abdul Rehman, a 62-year-old resident of Belmont Street in Highfields, was found to possess a disturbing collection of indecent images involving children and animals.The incident came to light after police executed a search warrant at his home on December 18, 2015, leading to the seizure of three computer devices.
During the investigation, Richard Walters, prosecuting, informed Leeds Crown Court that authorities uncovered these devices and initially questioned Rehman about their contents.
Rehman, during his interview, denied possessing any illegal images of children and claimed he was not interested in “child porn.” However, subsequent forensic analysis of the seized equipment revealed a far more troubling reality.
On a laptop and a Dell tower, investigators discovered a total of 10 indecent images of children, along with 51 movies classified as Category A, which is considered the most severe level of such material.
Additionally, there were seven still images and 38 movies at Category B, and seven still images and 28 movies at Category C.
Beyond these, authorities also found 489 prohibited images involving animation, which are illegal under current laws, as well as 105 instances of extreme pornography involving animals.
Rehman was re-interviewed following the findings and attempted to justify his possession of the material.
He claimed that he had purchased the computer second-hand approximately two years prior to the search, suggesting that some of the illicit content might have been pre-existing on the device.
He admitted to viewing adult pornography and explained that pop-up advertisements sometimes appeared, which could have contributed to the material being accessible on his computer.
Representing Rehman, lawyer Adam Birkby, criticized his client’s explanation to the probation service, describing his lack of knowledge regarding the illegality of the images as “frankly ridiculous.” Birkby emphasized that Rehman was willing to cooperate and believed that rehabilitation would be more appropriate than immediate imprisonment.
He highlighted Rehman’s poor health, noting that he had not worked since 1998 due to kidney failure.
Since undergoing a second kidney transplant just before Christmas last year, Rehman has been on medication and making regular hospital visits.
He is also diabetic.
Rehman, who pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing indecent images, one charge of possessing prohibited images, and one of possessing extreme pornography, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
The court also ordered him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities and to register as a sex offender for five years.
Judge James Spencer QC addressed Rehman directly, stating, “You have pleaded guilty to serious crimes, whether you accept that or not that is the case.
You must not look at this material, it is illegal.” The judge explained that his decision not to send Rehman immediately to prison was influenced by his health issues and previous good character.
However, he issued a stern warning that if Rehman committed similar offenses again, he would face imprisonment.
