CHARLES ANGUS FROM NEWCASTLE CAUGHT WITH OVER 2000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE
A 69-year-old man from Newcastle, Charles Angus, has been found in possession of a disturbing collection of more than 2,000 images depicting child abuse, a court has heard.The images, which are described as 'disgusting,' include graphic photographs of children as young as three years old, and were downloaded over a span of three years, highlighting a prolonged period of illicit activity.
During a court session at Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder David Gordon addressed the seriousness of Angus's actions.
He pointed out that individuals like Angus, who engage in creating and sharing such material online, contribute to a disturbing demand for the abuse of real children in the physical world.
The court was told that the images were stored across different categories of severity, with some classified as prohibited images, indicating the extreme nature of the content.
On March 9, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Angus's residence.
During the raid, they confiscated two laptops, which upon examination revealed a total of 2,032 images.
These images were categorized based on their seriousness, and included some that are legally classified as prohibited due to their explicit and harmful content.
Recorder Gordon did not shy away from emphasizing the gravity of Angus's conduct.
He stated that online paedophilia is not a victimless crime, countering any misconceptions that such offenses do not cause real harm.
The judge explained that the creation and distribution of such images fuel a market that ultimately leads to the exploitation and suffering of actual children.
Each image stored on Angus's devices represents a real child who has been harmed, and the court recognized the profound impact of these crimes.
Despite the severity of the case, Angus was sentenced to a one-year prison term, which was suspended for two years.
The court acknowledged his serious illness and lack of previous convictions as factors in the decision.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Angus was ordered to adhere to an electronic curfew for six months, pay £1,000 in court costs, and comply with a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict his contact with children and his internet usage for the next ten years.
Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for a decade, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
Overall, the case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to combat online child exploitation, and highlights the serious consequences faced by those involved in such heinous activities in Newcastle and beyond.
