Prison worker admits possessing child and extreme pornography (From The Northern Echo)

Prison worker from County Durham admits possessing child and extreme pornography

6:00am Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A CIVILIAN prison worker has lost his job after being found in possession of child and extreme pornographic images on computer.

Andre (CORRECT) Michele Savell admitted a total of 21 charges at his first appearance in the case at Durham Crown Court yesterday (TUE NOV 20).

Sixteen relate to the downloading of indecent images of a child, ranging from one to four in severity, on the five-level scale.

Level five images are considered the most serious in severity.

The 17th charge is a “roll up” count, of possession of 418 indecent images of children, between November 1, 2009, and February 23, 2012.

Savell also admitted four charges of possessing extreme pornography, classed as grossly offensive material.

His barrister, Paul Abrahams, requested preparation of a pre-sentence report on Savell by the Probation Service.

Mr Abrahams, who told the court that Savell has no previous convictions, handed several references on his behalf to the court.

He added: “He has now lost his employment and, as a result of his pleas, he will now be subject of an interim order disqualifying working with children.”

It is understood 53-year-old Savell, of Cook Avenue, Bearpark, near Durham, worked in a civilian role at Durham Prison.

Adjourning the case for sentence next month, Judge Christopher Prince told him: “You must return to be sentenced once the report is prepared.

“The length of that sentence will be determined when you come back, with all options open to the court.”

In the meantime Savell will be subject to registration as a sex offender, with the length of time to be confirmed at the sentencing hearing, on December 20.