Ludlow IT expert, 58, spared jail over child sex images
A Ludlow IT consultant turned hotel porter was spared jail after being convicted of making indecent images of a child.
Mark Ingle, of Rock Lane, Ludlow appeared before Judge Peter Barrie at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentence yesterday.
The 58-year-old had previously admitted making 37 category A indecent images or movies of a child, 12 category B images or movies and 24 category C images or movies.
Possession of a category A indecent image has a starting point of a year’s custodial sentence, up to a maximum of three years.
Prosecutor Douglas Lloyd told the court that Ingle's home in Ludlow was searched on May 31 this year and three laptops were seized which were found to contain the images.
Also on the computers was 'shredding' software which, it was claimed, enabled Ingle to destroy any confidential paperwork relating to his work as a computer expert.
Jason Pegg, for Ingle, said that he was of previous good character and suffered from a number of mental health issues including personality disorder, anxiety and bi-polar.
The medications for these had rendered him impotent and, said Mr Pegg, that he found the images attractive in a perverse way.
"He recognises that what he has done is extremely wrong," he said.
"He has attended the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Child protection charity and when interviewed by police he took full responsibility for his actions.
"He was totally irresponsible and has fallen from grace in terms of his career.
"He has personality disorder and it is because of this he found himself searching for these images.
"It is true to say there was 'shredding' software on the computers but he was not seeking to cover his tracks.
"He was an IT consultant who has the knowledge to do so.
"When he viewed the images he did so recklessly.
"He knows what he did was wrong."
In sentencing Ingle to a two-year community order, 40 days rehabilitation work and imposing a sexual harm prevention order, Judge Barrie said: "There is a background of significant mental health problems.
"When these issues came to light, you took steps to enter the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and followed their programme.
"There is no indication that you have reoffended in this way again. A community order is a legitimate alternative to custody."
Ingle was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a victim surcharge.
