Gateshead Paedophile Avoids Jail Despite Child Abuse Images

A Gateshead paedophile who shared sickening child abuse images online has dodged jail.Loner Ryan Handleigh distributed indecent pictures of children and was found with a stash of abuse images, including extreme pornography involving animals. After the 28-year-old was caught by police, he was bailed, but went on to commit further offences involving indecent images.Last week, Handleigh, of Sunderland Road, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced for two offences of distributing indecent images, six offences of making indecent images, and two offences of possessing extreme pornography involving animals. He had pleaded guilty to the serious charges, which were committed between 2021 and 2023.The prosecutor, Susannah Proctor, explained that Handleigh sourced indecent images from the dark web and shared one category A indecent image on Instagram, as well as two category C images online. The police were alerted through reports from Twitter and Instagram, leading to a search of his Gateshead home where he was found with 134 category A images, 85 category B images, and 262 category C images. In addition, he possessed extreme pornography.The court was told that Handleigh was then bailed but continued offending, being caught with more indecent material involving children and animals. During police interviews, he was described as 'candid' about his offending. Despite his guilty pleas, he was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to undertake sex offender and mental health treatment programs. He will also be on the sex offender register for 10 years and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed.Judge Robert Adams emphasized the seriousness of the case, referencing police referrals from social media platforms and Handleigh's admissions. The court acknowledged his prior good character and voluntary early guilty pleas, but highlighted the ongoing nature of his offences. Handleigh's background was described as isolated, with no employment history, a history of bullying and self-harm, and current dependency on benefits.