A MAN who downloaded thousands of indecent images, including of a one-year-old, has been put behind bars.

Lee Anthony Connick, 51, was told that his serious offences could only be punished by way of a prison sentence.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC jailed Connick, of Stedman Road, Bournemouth, for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Prosecuting, Timothy Hills told Bournemouth Crown Court the offences came to light when Kent Police alerted Dorset Police that the defendant was downloading indecent images of children.

“In February last year, police officers attended that address,” said Mr Hills. “They seized two laptops, four USB sticks and a mobile phone.

“He declined to answer any questions.”

The prosecutor said the electronic equipment was sent away to be investigated.

Police found 713 category A – the most serious – indecent images and videos, 1,127 category B images and videos and 4,469 category C images and videos.

Mr Hills said most of the children filmed or photographed were believed to be aged 12 and under, however, officers also identified a child to be a one-year-old.

Data showed images were accessed between February 2018 and February 2020.

Judge Fuller QC said: “There are very, very young children in each of the categories.”

Mr Hills said the case was one of downloading and possessing images rather than making or recording them.

Connick, who was unrepresented in courts, had no previous convictions and told the court he was prepared to accept his fate “come what may”.

Judge Fuller QC said that he concluded in Connick’s case only passing a prison sentence could justify the seriousness of the offences.

The judge said the images and videos were “particularly disturbing” due to what they depicted.

“These are serious images and must attract serious punishment,” said Judge Fuller QC. “I regard the offences as too serious for a community order to be passed.”

Connick was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order until further notice and must comply with sex offenders registration requirements for 10 years.

All the seized electricals were to be forfeited and destroyed.

Dorset Police refused to release Connick's custody image following a request by the Daily Echo.

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