AN “isolated” man whose computer interest developed into amassing a large collection of indecent images of children, was today (Thursday, April 23) jailed for 15 months.

Durham Crown Court heard that some of Barry Thomas Creaghan’s moving footage, involving children in sexual activity with adults and animals, was available for sharing with others searching for such material on the internet.

It came to light when police executed a search warrant at the home the 60-year-old, of previous good character, shares with his 84-year-old mother, in Belmont, Durham, on October 31.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the garage at the property, in Beechdale Road, was set up as, “some form of computer room”.

Equipment was seized for analysis and Creaghan was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

Mr Cleasby said expert analysis of his computer system revealed 1,358 such pictures, 238 in the most serious category, plus four moving images available for file sharing at times his equipment was switched on.

Creaghan accepted he had downloaded the images, claiming his interest was in boys and girls, and transgender children, aged ten and above.

But Mr Cleasby told the court the images examined featured children as young as four, while the moving footage involved youngsters thought to be aged six and eight.

Creaghan admitted making and distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.

Brian Russell, mitigating, said the amount of offending material that emerged, “even came as a surprise to the defendant.”

Mr Russell said Creaghan initially “doubted” the distribution element, but made admissions shortly before the case was to go to trial.

“This case paints a vivid picture of an isolated man who has reached the age of 60 without troubling the courts, while never having a meaningful relationship, who found solace in computer games.

“It sounds like a rather glum reality, but it went on to lead him into making rather inappropriate findings on the internet.

“He strikes as a lonely individual, but he has another side in caring for his elderly mother.”

Jailing him, Judge Simon Hickey said the amount of offensive material and its severity meant he, “could not draw back from a custodial sentence.”

He also made Creaghan subject to a sexual harm prevention order, for an unlimited period, restricting his future use of the internet and forbidding contact with children.

Creaghan must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years, while his computer equipment is to be confiscated.