2:31pm Thursday 2nd March 2006
By Gordon Simpson
PERVERT Paul Spencer, who downloaded indecent pictures of children from the Internet, has been warned that he could face a jail sentence.
Spencer, 53, of Duncan Street, Calne, admitted making and possessing indecent images, five of which showed sexual activity between children and adults.
He also admitted possessing 98 indecent photographs of children when he appeared Chippenham Magistrates' Court last Thursday.
Images showing penetrative sex between adults and children are classified as level four, level one being a lesser offence.
Nicola Jennings, prosecuting, said that Spencer had been arrested as a result of Operation Ore.
This is an ongoing investigation into people who use credit cards to pay for indecent images and photographs of children. Mrs Jennings said: "We are dealing with a large number of level ones and a small number of level fours," she said.
Mrs Jennings pointed out that "making" photographs does not necessarily mean they are actually produced or taken by the person in question.
"By pressing the button that downloads the pictures and making them appear on your hard drive that's making' a photograph," she said.
"It's not suggested that Mr Spencer's actually involved in manufacturing them."
She said that case law suggested a six to 12 month custodial sentence was generally appropriate for possessing a small number of images at level four.
Chair of the magistrates Keith Ridewood ordered the probation service to prepare "all options" reports on Spencer before sentencing.
He warned Spencer these were serious matters and that he could face a prison sentence for the offences.
"We have taken some time because we were considering whether the offence was so serious it exceeded our powers and whether we should commit it to Crown Court," he told Spencer.
"We have decided to retain jurisdiction at the magistrates' court.
"We have looked at the Crown case put to us and we have looked at the aggravating features and mitigating features of the offence.
"We are going to adjourn matters to enable you to undertake reports with the probation service and we are asking for all options reports, which means we are considering custody for these offences."
Spencer is due to reappear at Chippenham Magistrates' Court on March 15 at 1.45pm for sentencing.
He was also ordered to report to his local police station to register on the on the sex offenders' list.
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