Telford child porn pensioner caught after he sold computer at auction
A Telford pensioner who told police he had "done nothing wrong" by looking at child pornography was caught after he sold a computer at an auction.
The crimes of 75-year-old Malcolm Ferguson came to light after he sold the desktop computer at the auction in High Ercall.
The buyer sold it on again but it was returned to him, when he was informed it contained images of child abuse.
Police were informed on May 12 and examination of the computer showed 162 indecent images and videos.
The computer was traced back to Ferguson, of Lowe Court in Wellington.
Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said that Ferguson was then arrested and in police interview admitted downloading the images.
"He said that between 2001 and 2014 he had been interested in viewing images of child pornography," said Mr Edwards.
"In his own mind, this had caused no harm.
"He said that it was only because the law made it illegal he had done anything wrong."
Ferguson had admitted multiple charges related to the possession of the images when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court on July 16.
Mr Stuart Clarkson, for Ferguson, said that he had no previous convictions and suffered with mobility problems that made it difficult for him to walk more than 100 yards, normally relying on a mobility scooter.
Sentencing yesterday, Judge Peter Barrie said: "It is a great mistake to see these offences as without victims and rather causing no harm to anyone.
"Every single image was as a result of a child being abused and the reason is because people go and look at those images when they are made.
"It is a serious offence to encourage the taking of these images by looking at them."
Ferguson was given a community order for 12 months, with a supervision requirement for 12 months.
He was also put under a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirement for five years and will be prevented from working with children.
He was ordered to pay court costs of £150 along with a victim surcharge.
