Man tried to cover tracks over child porn pictures

A MAN who amassed a collection of indecent images of children has been jailed.

Lee Sowden, of Grosvenor Gate, off Gipsy Lane, Leicester, was found guilty of six counts of making indecent images of children.

The 42-year-old appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday and was jailed for 12 months.

Sowden was also found guilty of failing to comply with a legal notice to allow officers access to an encrypted electronic storage device.

He was convicted after a three-day trial last week and appeared on Friday to be sentenced.

In addition to the jail term, he was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, which will impose restrictions on his future conduct.

Leicestershire Police have released details of the case.

In a statement, the force said: “The court heard how officers executed a warrant at Sowden’s home address after they received intelligence to suggest that the internet had been used to download indecent images of children.

“Officers recovered computer equipment including some storage devices.

“One of the recovered devices couldn’t be accessed by the investigating team due to it having been encrypted.

“Despite being issued with a Section 49 notice, Sowden refused to provide passwords to enter the device.”

Detective Constable Ian Button, the investigating officer, said: “Sowden attempted to cover his tracks and was not forthcoming in providing information to assist the investigation.

“Despite that, and a very lengthy investigation, we were able to provide evidence to the court of Sowden’s offences and we’re pleased he has been convicted of all the charges.

“We hope this conviction and subsequent sentence gives Sowden the chance to reflect on his actions and deters him from committing similar offences in the future.”

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