STEVEN ECKERSALL SENTENCED IN MANCHESTER FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In July 2003, Steven Eckersall, a 28-year-old man from Greystoke Avenue, Timperley, was sentenced to a year in jail at Manchester Magistrates' Court for possessing and making indecent images of children. District judge Miriam Shelvey revealed that Eckersall's computer contained a disturbing 14-minute video depicting the abuse of a young child. Eckersall pleaded guilty to five counts related to the creation and possession of such images with intent to distribute.

The judge commented, "Children wouldn’t be abused in this way but for people like you who are prepared to pay for such images for their own self gratification."

As part of his sentence, Eckersall was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years. Police had seized his home computer and found a total of 44 indecent images, some of which were described as 'horrific.' These images had been copied onto a CD, but there was no evidence they had been shared with others.

During proceedings, defence lawyer David Hallam stated that Eckersall, a clerical worker at a law firm, had no prior criminal record and was very ashamed of his actions.