A pedophile collected nearly 2,000 “horrifying” images of child rape and abuse.
James Mercer was hit with a Sexual Crime Prevention Order (SOPO) in 2013 after being caught in a sick hiding place from obscene images of children. A ten-year warrant barred him from accessing the Internet unless he kept a history of surfing and provided it for police inspection.
But when officers routinely inspected his computer equipment as part of SOPO, they found another library of “terrifying” photos. A 41-year-old man from Ashburn Avenue, Tower Hill, Kirkby, later admitted to possessing 1997 obscene images of children.
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According to the indictment, he downloaded the files for almost three years between May 16, 2018 and March 17, 2021. Mercer admitted that he downloaded 368 images from category A – the most serious category, including rape of children – plus 323 category B and 1306 category C files.
Liverpool court has heard that he also pleaded guilty to possession of seven banned [cartoon or animated] images of a child. Prosecutors said Mercer did not actually violate the SOPO because the sex offender did not delete or attempt to manipulate his search history.
Referee Michael Taylor said his previous sentences were aggravating responsibility for the case. He decided that the crimes were so serious that only an immediate sentence of imprisonment was appropriate.
Recorder Taylor imprisoned Mercer for 12 months and made him the subject of a new indefinite SOPO. The judge told Mercer that he had to be on the sex offender register for 10 years.
Speaking after the case, an NSPCC spokesman said: “Every child portrayed in these obscene images is a victim of horrific violence. Searching for this horrifying material from offenders like James Mercer means that he shares responsibility for their horrific experiences.
“The NSPCC is determined to ensure that the government’s forthcoming online safety bill is strengthened to prevent violators like Mercer from using the online world as a portal to child abuse.
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Adults with concerns about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 or send an email to help@nspcc.org.uk
Anyone concerned about their own behavior or that of a family member can contact stopitnow.org.uk and get-help.stopitnow.org.uk
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