October 2013
BARROW MAN WHO LOOKED AT CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AVOIDS JAIL
A MAN who downloaded more than 160 indecent photographs and videos of children and people performing sex acts on live animals has avoided a jail sentence.
Stuart Westwood was given a 10-month prison term suspended for two years when he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
He has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty last month to downloading child abuse images of young boys and girls. He also admitted storing hundreds of pictures and video footage of people performing sex acts on live animals including dogs, horses, a goat, a monkey, a pig and an eel.
Westwood, of Andover Street, Barrow, was charged with a total of 13 counts, including possessing 18 “level four” indecent images of children, publishing two “obscene articles” during internet text chats, and possessing 144 extreme pornographic images of animals.
Police seized a computer, laptop, external hard drive and memory stick from Westwood’s home address in July.
The charges date back to April 17 2009, with the most recent offences taking place on July 26.
Children in the explicit images were aged between five and 15.
When Westwood appeared at Funress Magistrates’ Court on September 19, Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, told the court: “This is a very serious matter as level four images are the most extreme. The case relates to incidents over many years.”
September 2013
BARROW MAN FACES JAIL OVER INDECENT PICTURES
A MAN who downloaded more than 160 indecent photographs and videos of children as young as five over a period of four years faces jail.
Stuart Westwood, 40, of Andover Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to downloading child abuse imges of young boys and girls at Furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
He also admitted storing hundreds of pictures and video footage of people performing sex acts on live animals including dogs, horses, a goat, a monkey, a pig and an eel.
He was charged with a total of 13 counts, including possessing 18 “level four” indecent images of children, publishing two “obscene articles” during internet text chats, and possessing 144 extreme pornographic images of animals.
Westwood spoke only to confirm his name and address, and to plead guilty to all charges at yesterday’s hearing. Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, told the court: “This is a very serious matter as level four images are the most extreme.
“The case relates to incidents over many years.”
Police seized a computer, laptop, external hard drive and memory stick from Mr Westwood’s home address in July.
The charges date back to April 17 2009, with the most recent offences taking place on July 26 2013.
Children in the explicit images were aged between five and 15.
Magistrates committed Mr Westwood to sentence at Preston Crown Court on October 11 as they believed their sentencing powers were limited.
A pre-sentence report was ordered for the Crown Court judge.
Chairman of magistrates, Bob Fletcher, said: “These charges against you will now be heard at the Crown Court because of their seriousness.”
Mr Westwood was granted conditional bail until October 11 and is forbidden from unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16 unless it unavoidable and cannot visit the Isle of Man without informing investigating officers.
