Computer sale led to child porn shame
A RETIRED railway worker who downloaded more than 1,000 images of child pornography has avoided prison.
Keith Lindop, aged 60, collected indecent pictures and video clips on a computer and several discs.
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He appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty earlier to possessing 1,160 indecent images of children.
The defendant, of Church Street, Stone, also admitted 13 offences of making indecent photographs of children. The court was told Lindop sold a computer in 2007. The buyer collected it from Lindop's former address in Fletcher Road, Stoke.
Steve Ash, prosecuting, said: "When he got home he found a folder called 'Keith's favourites'. It was apparent from the listings that there was likely to be child pornography. He contacted the police."
The computer was seized and officers found 39 indecent images of children, plus a film, on it.
Police later went to Fletcher Road and arrested Lindop. A search revealed computer discs containing more images of children.
Child pornography is graded from Level One to Five, Level Five being the most serious. Of the material seized from Lindop, 239 images and 16 videos were Level Four, and 16 images and two videos were Level Five.
Lindop was interviewed by police and admitted downloading the images. Alison Downs, defending Lindop, said: "He's bought shame on himself and his family, to the extent that his family have ostracised him."
Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said if he jailed Lindop, the longest sentence he could impose would be eight months, so instead he gave him a three-year community order.
He said: "Before this you were a man of good character. Alas, over six years, you downloaded this material. All of it is unsettling, much of it is disgusting.
"It involved children from the age of about four years up to teenagers.
"I hope you now appreciate making this type of image involves exploitation, abuse and real harm can be afforded to these children."
Judge Trevor-Jones also imposed three-year supervision requirement and ordered Lindop to comply with any community sex offenders' programme he was assigned.
Lindop must remain on the sex offenders' register for five years.
34 Comments
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by jackie mckenzie, derby
Monday, June 15 2009, 7:59PM
“I am a friend of the person who bought his computer. I can't begin to tell you what an impact seeing just a few of these photos has done to him. He only looked at a couple and is truely traumatised. AND THESE WERE GRADED 4 & 5 !!!!!! What is wrong with our judicial system that allows such a menial sentence to be passed. After 5 years he gets a clean slate and is free to do it all again!!!!”
by Pete Dumfries, Packmoor
Friday, June 12 2009, 9:42AM
“Anon, Meir - if you feel so strongly - don 't hide behind anonymity - tell the world your name!”
by Pete Dumfries, Packmoor
Friday, June 12 2009, 9:41AM
“Anon, Meir - if you feel so strongly - don 't hide behind anonymity - tell the world your name!”
by Anon, Meir
Friday, June 12 2009, 9:08AM
“Pete... lets face it, he's got it coming to him. If I was him, I'd be away by now. People will not put up with this.”
by Pete, Packmoor
Friday, June 12 2009, 8:41AM
“Anon, Meir - sounds like inciting a criminal act to me..... and yet you can't even put your name to your comments. So many people want others to fire the bullets for them!”
by Warren, Meir
Friday, June 12 2009, 8:25AM
“Disgusting, sick, sad old man, how the hell can he get away with that without a prison sentance. So what if he's been ostracised by his famley, if he was past of my famley, he would have been ostracised and hospitliaed, becouse I would have bust both his legs to. How come actions like this, that are so sick its untrue on carry a sentance of a max. of 8 months. I'm not condoneing vilance or anything like that, but maybe a bit of public justace would not go a miss in this case.”
by Kerry, Meir
Thursday, June 11 2009, 10:37PM
“Rustinho - according to article the scum only got five years on the register.
Good for you Suzy of Stone - perhaps NP of stoke would like him as a neighbour - heaven forbid NP has children????
Would hate something like that living near me..........”
by suzy, stone
Thursday, June 11 2009, 9:31PM
“i cant believe this man has got such a light sentance! his family have ostricised him? good!! seeing that he has moved from stoke to stone sugests no one probably knows who he is or what he has done. sick sick man. my children play out round there..........they wont be anymore. NP of stoke, im sure you wouldnt be commenting on vigilante type comments if he still lived near you!! you can have your pedo back if you want to protect him!
the law needs changing ASAP”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Thursday, June 11 2009, 5:48PM
“Spikey - I know it won't be much consolation given that you found the offending material but well done on giving the police the information that has led to his conviction. Lindop will no doubt be on the sex offenders register for life and his every move will be monitored. Who knows what he might have got away with otherwise.”
by spikey1@onetel.com, derby
Thursday, June 11 2009, 5:30PM
“I am the person who bought the computer from this pervert i was expecting him to be sent down i have found the whole thing very distressing”