Child sex pervert jailed for 8 years (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Child sex pervert jailed for 8 years

A PAEDOPHILE described as a ticking time bomb has been jailed for eight years after a court heard how he committed indecent acts on children.

Former sales manager Julian Alder, 39, of Hatch Road, Stratton, pleaded guilty to a catalogue of charges including indecency with a child, indecent assault, taking indecent photos of a child and attempted serious sexual assault.

Swindon Crown Court heard that Alder who sat dishevelled in the dock with his head in his hands during sentencing yesterday was caught with a child in the changing rooms of the Oasis Leisure Centre in June last year.

Lynn Matthews, prosecuting, said when a member of the public heard strange noises in the changing rooms he poked his head under the cubicle and saw Alder with a naked young child.

The court heard that Alder had initially lied to the police about the episode saying he had eczema and was applying cream, but scientific examination of a towel revealed Alder's semen on it. The court also heard how Alder had some years previously attempted to commit a serious sexual assault with a young boy and gave him money to keep quiet about it.

Ms Matthew's said that police had found indecent images of a child on Alder's home computer when they raided his house images he would use as visual stimulation.

Paul Higham, defending Alder, said that his client was a ticking time bomb who, if he had not been caught when he was, would have "exploded in the future."

Mr Higham explained how a "treasure trove" of images had been found on Alder's computer, but behind the faade he led a respectable life.

The court heard how he held a good job, lived in a five-bedroom house, but persisted with a perversity "that was difficult to understand."

He said Mr Alder was "absolutely broken and has absolutely nothing" and would be watching his back in prison for fear of attacks.

Alder had been in custody since he first appeared before Swindon magistrates in June last year.

Sentencing Alder, Judge John McNaught, said: "This is a serious offence involving two young children.

"I have to conclude that at the moment at least you are a risk to people of both sexes. I have got to pass a sentence on you which marks the length of time over which the offences were committed.

"I have seen the photos they are not the worst by any means but what makes it worse is that you made them, you didn't download them."

In addition Alder will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Giles Sheldrick