MAN JAILED FOR DOWNLOADING INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN
2017.
A metalworker's personal secret resulted in his first time in custody when Ryan Sweeney, 36, confessed to downloading, keeping, and viewing indecent images of minors over a period of three years.
Durham Crown Court was told that he stored 336 images on his devices, including 15 in the most concerning category.
Prosecutor Chris Baker said that police attended his residence on November 13 and confiscated his mobile phone and two computers, which contained the illicit images.
Sweeney fully admitted his conduct, revealing a sexual attraction toward teenage girls.
A probation assessment noted that he had moved from viewing adult pornography to searching for images of younger females.
The report described his attitude as 'his dirty little secret,' but also mentioned he was now undergoing counseling to confront his issues.
Living on Kimberley Walk in Newton Aycliffe, Sweeney pleaded guilty to creating indecent photographs of children.
His defense lawyer, Neil Bennett, requested that the judge consider a suspended sentence, highlighting Sweeney's candor early in the investigation and his willingness to seek help for his unhealthy interests.
Judge Christopher Prince sentenced him to a year in prison.
Despite accepting that he was attracted to adolescent girls, the judge pointed out that some images showed children as young as six.
Sweeney was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
In a serious case brought before Durham Crown Court, Ryan Sweeney, aged 36, was sentenced to prison after admitting to the possession and viewing of indecent images of children. The investigation revealed that Sweeney, a sheet metalworke...
Prison sentence
In a serious case brought before Durham Crown Court, Ryan Sweeney, aged 36, was sentenced to prison after admitting to the possession and viewing of indecent images of children
Prison sentence
12 months
Consequently, Sweeney was sentenced to 12 months in prison
Sex Offenders Register
ten years
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offending
Court order
ten years
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offending
