TERENCE SNOOKS IN LEIGH AVOIDS JAIL DESPITE POSSESSING THOUSANDS OF CHILD PORN IMAGES

In January 2010, a man named Terence Snooks, aged 47, was linked to a significant collection of child pornography but escaped imprisonment. The case arose after his former girlfriend located numerous illicit images on a computer she had previously lent him. She subsequently reported her discovery to the police, leading to raids at Snooks's residence in Leigh, where additional computers with child porn were confiscated.

Snooks pleaded guilty to possessing the images during an earlier court hearing. Judge Christopher Mitchell told him at Basildon Crown Court, "You pleaded guilty to possessing quite a large quantity of child pornography. Having considered the guidelines, I have come to the conclusion it does pass the custody threshold. But, bearing in mind your previous good character, I can suspend the sentence."

The material found included over 3,000 images at the lowest classification level, with 145 images at level four and 12 at level five, which is the highest severity. Snooks, who resides in Manor Park, East London, was sentenced to 26 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £600 by July 1, and will be listed on the sex offenders register for seven years.