Man in possession of almost 3,000 indecent images of children spared jail time

A man was sentenced to a community order following the possession of thousands of indecent images of children.

Andrew Goodall, 48, pleaded guilty to the conviction of accessing and downloading indecent images of children 18 months ago and has waited until today to hear the outcome of the case at Sheffield Crown Court.

Following suspicions of possessing these images, a warrant was executed on January 10 2022 for police to search his home.

His computer was ceased and although Goodall had installed software on his computer to make many of the photos inaccessible, police were still able to locate thousands of inappropriate images, both still and moving.

He was in possession of over 2,600 indecent images of children, with officers finding 29 category A images, 39 category B and 2615 category C.

Most of the children in the images were females between the ages of 10-15, but some were as young as two-years-old.

Judge Recorder Taryn Turner gave further details of some of the images. One of the category A moving images was of a 12-year-old girl sat on her bed, penetrating herself.

The category B images included females aged 13-15, naked with their breasts on show.

Goodall, of Carlton Road, Doncaster, wanted to make a full admission in the court.

Goodall had to tell his sister, who has two children, about the conviction and he is now prohibited from having contact with them as a result of his actions.

Although he did have a sexual interest in children at the time, that is no longer the case, defence lawyer Clarkson Baptiste said.

“This is a man who is deeply ashamed. He’s owned up to what he has done and has shown willingness to be rehabilitated.

“His lack of prior offending and previous guilty plea demonstrate he would comply under a suspended sentence,” he said.

However, prosecution lawyer Katherine White reiterated to Judge Recorder Taryn Turner that due to the range and high volume of images, he was liable to up to five years imprisonment.

“These images are of real live children, and they are abused and violated in a disgusting way to please you,” Judge Recorder Taryn Turner said.

“What happens to those children at a young age stays with them. They’re messed up as a consequence just so people like you can get a kick out of watching them.

“A lifetime of anxiety awaits those children,” she continued.

Goodall was sentenced to an imposed community order for 24 months, with 40 days rehabilitation. He was also required to pay £425 to the prosecution.

As he receives benefits but doesn’t have savings, he must pay £20 a month until it has been paid off.

A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, meaning he is unable to use devices that can access the internet, he cannot delete internet history and he must make devices immediately available if requested.

He must also notify the police if he uses a public computer. This order will be in place for five years.

The judge warned if he fails to co-operate then “it is unquestionably the case” he will go to prison.

“You have come within whiskers of going to prison today. Don’t mess up,” she said.