PENARTH MAN STEPHEN NORTHCOTT RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE OVER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN CARDIFF

In November 2011, a Penarth man was sentenced after admitting to possessing and viewing indecent images of children.

Stephen Northcott, aged 55, of Uplands Crescent in Llandough, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where it was revealed he had in his possession a total of 249 indecent images of children. Among these, 38 images were classified at level 4, with level 5 being the most severe.

During sentencing, Northcott, who had no previous criminal record, faced comments from Judge Niclas Parry who stated: "What you were viewing was happening. Children were being put through that, and you were contributing towards the abuse by watching it. The psychological harm done to those children, some as young as six, is probably incalculable."

Northcott received a 26-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was placed under a supervision order and disqualified from working with children under 16. Furthermore, a seven-year registration requirement was imposed, along with a five-year sexual offences prevention order. The order restricts his access to the internet in cases where browsing history cannot be retained.