AYLSHAM SEX OFFENDER FOUND WITH 50K CHILD IMAGES SPARED JAIL
A man found with almost 50,000 indecent images and videos of children has been spared an immediate jail sentence.Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard the offences included 48,660 category C photos and films, alongside others deemed to be category A, which involve sex acts and penetration.
Cottam, of Purdy Way, Aylsham, pleaded guilty to five offences including three of making indecent images and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.
He also admitted possessing two extreme pornographic images involving a dog.
Magistrates sentenced him to eight months due to the “nature, seriousness and number” of offences, but they chose to suspend the jail term for 24 months, citing concerns that imprisonment would lead to the loss of his accommodation.
The sentence includes a requirement that he completes 40 rehabilitation days, including an accredited programme to address the behaviour of sex offenders.
Annette Hall, mitigating, explained that the offences had been committed during a “very dark period” in his life and prison would “punish him but not rehabilitate him”.
She mentioned: “This is someone with no previous convictions or cautions and up to the age of almost 60 was a law-abiding citizen.” He was fully cooperative with police and authorities, even during periods when he was on bail or under investigation.
Cottam told the court he was “totally ashamed of my actions” and that “I don’t want to be here again”.
He was made subject of a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
