A SOUTH TYNESIDE MAN HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER AND COULD BE JAILED AFTER BEING CAUGHT WITH PORNOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF CHILDREN ON HIS LAPTOP.
Alan Burdon, aged 45 and residing on Rosedale Avenue in South Bents, Whitburn, faces potential imprisonment of up to three years following the discovery of a disturbing collection of 18 images linked to him.These images, uncovered during a police raid on his former residence in Whitburn, were classified into different categories, with two at the most severe (Category A), two at Category B, and the remaining 14 at Category C.
During a court hearing, prosecutor Ruth Foster informed magistrates that the images depicted minors aged between three and 16 years old.
When police arrested him, Burdon declined to respond to questions but later admitted during a second interview that the photographs or pseudo-photographs were his.
Mrs.
Foster highlighted that Burdon has a history of alcoholism and claimed he could not remember taking the pictures between December 18, 2014, and September 25, 2021.
Burdon pleaded guilty to three charges involving the creation of indecent images or pseudo-images of children.
Magistrates recognized that their sentencing powers were insufficient to address the severity of his crimes, so they referred the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.
He was also placed on the sex offender register, with the length of registration to be determined by the higher court during the sentencing scheduled for December 18.
The prosecutor explained that Burdon’s arrest stemmed from intelligence suggesting a Skype account linked to indecent images of minors.
Police seized a laptop and an iPhone from his home.
Although he initially refused to answer questions, Burdon later fully admitted to possessing the images but claimed not to remember how he obtained them.
Mrs.
Foster noted that he did accept responsibility for the images on his devices and acknowledged a past struggle with alcoholism.
Defence lawyer Michael O’Garra agreed that Burdon’s case should be escalated to the crown court for sentencing.
Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report, granted him unconditional bail, and confirmed that Burdon is now subject to the sex offenders register requirements.
