Building site manager lost his job over indecent images of children

Colin Moore had worked for Ocon Construction for 43 years before the discovery of the images while he was working on a site in Leeds, Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday.

The police were informed about what had been found when the defect was investigated and officers then searched Moore's home and his own laptop was seized.

When that was checked it was found to contain further images.

John Bull, prosecuting, said a total of 148 indecent images and sections of movie were found, of which 83 were at level one, 18 at

level two, nine at level three and 38 at level four on a scale of seriousness of one to five.

After his arrest Moore initially denied responsibility for downloading the images but later admitted he had done so.

Moore, 64, of Beech Crescent, Stainforth, Doncaster, admitted 10

charges of making indecent images and one of possession.

James Bourne-Arton representing him told the court Moore had lost his project management job as a result of the offences. At the time he was 63 and under a great deal of stress and pressure following the breakdown of his marriage.

In March 2008 he had found himself living in a one bedroom flat in Leeds and began visiting adult pornography sites. In the process of that he had visited some of the sites involved, then deleting the images which he never viewed again.

He had indicated he would accept any help from the probation service and would welcome the opportunity to attend any courses they proposed, said Mr Bourne-Arton.

Imposing a three year community order with a requirement to attend a sex offender treatment programme, Judge Sally Cahill QC said it would be more effective than a short prison sentence.

"Until today you have never been before the criminal court, you have no previous convictions, you have been in long term employment in what is a very responsible job, the loss of which is a substantial punishment for you," she said.

She also said it was significant that Moore had deleted the images and the report on him, compiled for the court, indicated he accepted they were abhorrent. "I am satisfied you are somebody who would respond to treatment."