MARYPORT MAN TO SERVE SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Maryport, Tobias Allan Kirkbride, aged 35, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. The court heard that the police executed a search warrant at Kirkbride’s residence on Wood Street in Maryport back in May, leading to the seizure of electronic devices that were subsequently analyzed.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of images. Kirkbride was found to have made and possessed a total of 15 indecent photographs of children, with the images classified into different categories based on their severity. Specifically, four of these images were categorized as Category A, indicating the most serious nature of abuse, while two fell into Category B, and the remaining nine were classified as Category C. In addition to these, Kirkbride also admitted to possessing a prohibited image of a child, which is a separate offense under the law.

Despite the gravity of the charges, the court acknowledged that Kirkbride, who resides on Wood Street in Maryport, was a man of previously good character. The judge, Peter Hughes QC, took into account this background and the circumstances surrounding the case before delivering the sentence. Instead of immediate imprisonment, Kirkbride was handed a four-month jail term, which was suspended for two years. This means he will not serve time in prison unless he commits another offense within that period.

Furthermore, Kirkbride is required to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, participate in rehabilitation programs, and undergo one-to-one supervision to monitor his progress. He is also mandated to sign the sex offenders’ register and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years. These measures are intended to protect the community and prevent any future offenses, reflecting the seriousness with which the court views the possession of such harmful material.