PERVERT HAD ABUSE IMAGES OF CHILDREN AGED FROM 1 TO 16

Man admits to court he has ‘fetish’

PERVERT Neil Rushton was caught with hundreds of sex abuse photos including some of children as young as one.

The 57-year-old downloaded category C images – the least serious – and inadvertently downloaded more extreme material which he then deleted.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard police raided Rushton’s home and seized a laptop and a phone.

Officers found 14 category A images (the most serious), 42 at category B and 449 at category C, plus nine prohibited images.

The images were of children aged from one to 16.

Rushton – who has no previous convictions – has now received an 18-month community order with a 30-day rehabilitation requirement and a three-month electronically-monitored curfew from 9pm to 5am.

Prosecutor Sophie Murray said: “The main aggravating feature is the fact the depicted children were aged between one and 16.”

Rushton, of Monty Place, Fenton, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children and possession of prohibited images.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said Rushton accepts he sought images of 14 to 16-year-olds.

Judge Paul Glenn said: “You have now lost your good name.

“On your basis of plea, you downloaded category C images and inadvertently downloaded some material at categories A and B which you then deleted. I sentence you on that basis.”

The judge added: “You spoke of having a fetish, of being interested in girls aged 14 to 16 as well as older females.

“You seem to understand why these offences are seriously regarded by the courts.”

Rushton was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the same period. He was barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults. He must pay £1,500 costs.

Pigs were spotted on the loose in a road for the second day in a row. Drivers were warned to take care after two pigs and a piglet were spotted roaming in Hollywall

Lane, Sandyford, yesterday. A stunned motorist took a picture of the animals at around 11.45am. Anyone who knows where the pigs have escaped from should contact Staffordshire Police on 101.