JOSEPH CATTERSON FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET AND SEDGEFIELD CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY USING VIRUS

In a significant case brought before Teesside Crown Court, Joseph Catterson, a resident of Chester-Le-Street, was convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children, following a detailed investigation that involved advanced cyber forensics and the use of a computer virus. The case unfolded after police officers visited his home in The Orchard, Sedgefield, on March 3, 2005, where they seized his personal computer amid suspicions of illegal activity.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Catterson, aged 44 and employed as a heating engineer, had attempted to conceal his illicit activities by deleting search records and using cleaning software to erase traces of his online searches. Despite these efforts, investigators uncovered critical evidence that linked him to the possession of a substantial number of indecent images of children. Specifically, Catterson was charged with 16 counts of making indecent images and possessing a total of 1,486 such images.

The prosecution, led by Dan Cordey, explained that the investigation took an unusual turn when Durham Police enlisted the expertise of Detective Constable Sharon Robson, a specialist in computer crime. Her examination of Catterson’s hard drive revealed that, although he had tried to cover his tracks, there were specific search terms associated with child pornography. These searches led investigators directly to thumbnail images stored on his computer.

Further forensic analysis uncovered the presence of a keystroke logger virus, a malicious program that secretly recorded every keystroke made on the computer. Unbeknownst to Catterson, this virus had been installed on his system, providing investigators with a detailed record of his online activity. Mr. Cordey emphasized that this discovery was instrumental in clarifying the extent of Catterson’s involvement in illegal activities, as it exposed his search patterns and the nature of the images he accessed.

During police interviews, Catterson claimed to have a broad range of sexual interests but insisted that these did not involve children. However, he later changed his plea to guilty, admitting to the charges that spanned from January 1, 2001, to March 4, 2005.

In mitigation, Paul Cross, representing Catterson, stated that his client had not distributed the images to others and that most of the images were of the lowest category of indecency. Despite this, Judge Les Spittle made it clear that these offences were far from victimless. The judge emphasized that the images involved real children subjected to abuse and exploitation, and that such material was created solely for the sexual gratification of viewers.

As a result of his conviction, Catterson was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual prevention order, which restricted his contact with minors and limited his access to computers. He was also required to register his address with police for the next five years. The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the computer and all related images, underscoring the seriousness of the crimes committed.