MICHAEL BARRON OF BASELIDON SENTENCED FOR MASSIVE CHILD IMAGE COLLECTION
In February 2010, Michael Barron, a 46-year-old man from Long Riding, Basildon, was sentenced to prison after accumulating an estimated 64,000 indecent images of children.Barron claimed that his collection was driven by a file-sharing addiction and denied any sexual attraction to children.
The police's investigation was triggered when they detected suspicious activity after Barron subscribed to a file-sharing website in 2008.
In September, officers raided his flat and discovered an extensive stash of indecent images and films stored on his computer and copied onto hundreds of DVDs.
The sheer volume of materials prevented police from cataloging each item, though most images were classified as level three or lower, with the most severe at level five.
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson stated, “The police estimate that overall there were some 64,000 indecent still images and more than 1,100 indecent moving films.” Barron sent a letter to the officer leading the case, revealing that he had been abused as a child; however, police could not verify this claim.
During the hearing, defense solicitor Caroline Moonam expressed remorse, saying, “He is deeply ashamed of his behaviour and deeply regrets it.
It was the act of downloading and copying things he was addicted to and he had no way, he felt, he could come forward for help for this addiction.” She also noted that Barron had led a lonely, isolated life due to his past abuse.
Barron, a former nursing assistant, pleaded guilty to ten counts of making indecent images on January 10.
Judge John Lodge described the case as very serious, stating, “This case is so serious that nothing other than an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.” He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment on each charge, to run concurrently.
Additionally, Barron was placed under a sexual offences prevention order, required to sign the sex offenders register for ten years, and automatically barred from working with children.
A charge of distributing indecent material was ordered to lie on file.
