A 21-year-old man who used a social-media app to “negotiate” the trade of indecent images of children has been spared jail.
Josh Houseman, from Boroughbridge, admitted he was involved in “several Telegram groups where people shared all kinds of pornographic material”, York Crown Court heard.
He was arrested in December 2022 after police swooped on his home and seized a Samsung phone and a hard drive.
Forensic analysis of the devices revealed he had been downloading and distributing vile images of children as young as six.
Forensic officers found Telegram conversations in which Houseman told others that he had images of children “of several ages” and “negotiated trade in relation to the material found on the devices”.
“He admitted using Telegram to seek out pornographic material and admitted involvement in several Telegram groups where people share all kinds of pornographic material,” added Ms Dasaolu.
Houseman, of East View, was charged with three counts of making indecent images, three counts of distributing illicit material, possessing two “extreme pornography” images and possession of a prohibited image of a child. He admitted the offences and appeared for sentence yesterday (Tuesday).
Prosecutor Tayo Dasaolu said that among the seven images shared by Houseman were four images rated Category A – the worst kind of such material.
Of the 54 indecent images he had downloaded, 32 were Category A. The “collection” included indecent videos.
Mental health problems
Defence barrister Lily Wildman said that, according to Houseman, getting arrested was “essentially the best thing that could ever have happened to him” due to his long-standing mental-health problems.
“Since his arrest he has engaged with therapy…and been medicated for anxiety and depression,” she added.
Judge Simon Hickey described the images as “revolting”.
He told Houseman: “There must be a number of young females depicted in the images and you were sharing them on this platform, Telegram.”
However, he told the defendant, who was employed and had no previous convictions, that he would not be going to prison due to “strong mitigation” which outweighed the seriousness of his crimes.
He noted that relatively few images had been distributed and there was “quite a small volume” of downloaded material.
Mr Hickey said that Houseman had been “entirely frank” with police following his arrest, had shown remorse and “taken steps to address your addiction”.
Houseman’s 22-month jail sentence was suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to sign on the sex-offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject to a 10-year sexual-harm-prevention order to curb his online activities.
He was ordered to pay £150 costs.