A “naïve” young man who amassed hundreds of “thoroughly sickening” images of children being sexually abused, shared many on the internet.
Nathan Egan, 26, stored the offending images on a hidden application on his phone, not immediately visible on examination, and would view them while using cannabis.
Durham Crown Court heard that expert analysis of the phone revealed the contents and a search history showing numerous requests for paedophilic material.
Egan was arrested and various devices were seized for examination after police, “acting on intelligence”, visited his home in August 2023.(Image: The Northern Echo)
Martin Towers, prosecuting, said while being booked in at the police station he told a custody officer: “I know it was wrong.
“I meant to delete them so I could not look at them again.”
The offending images included 156 in the most serious category, and the same number in video form across all levels.
Mr Towers said they were stored in a secure folder in the hidden application, along with another application containing other indecent images.
Analysis also revealed 114 extreme pornographic images, showing scenes of bestiality.
The images were compiled between June 2021 and August 2023, and chat between him and another user of the application revealed they were shared on a single day, in April 2023.
Mr Towers said the children being sexually abused included babies and toddlers, some of whom were bound and drugged, while many were displaying discernible pain and distress.
Egan, of Duddon Close, Peterlee, admitted three counts each of making and distributing indecent images of children, plus possession of extreme pornography.
Nigel Soppitt, for the defendant, described him as, “a naïve young man, clearly with difficulties.”
But he said he was co-operative with the police inquiries, immediately confessing and revealing his Pin number.
“He became involved in internet forums and believed he was in a relationship with a German woman for two years who introduced him to an internet site which was a gateway to other sites and the hidden application.
“He was clearly duped by that person, whether or not a male or female, as he never actually met them.”
Mr Soppitt said, as “a naïve individual”, Egan was “susceptible” to overtures from others, persuading him to share the images.
“That’s not an excuse and it was plainly wrong and unacceptable.”
Although the defendant did not think of the distress suffered by the children featured on the images at the time he viewed them, “it has now come home to him.”
Mr Soppitt said the defendant would view the images while using a lot of cannabis at the time.
Despite the severity of what he has done, Mr Soppitt added that the defendant has retained the support of his family, who do not, however, condone his behaviour.
She said: “They are thoroughly sickening.
“The idea anyone watching it and hearing it wouldn’t understand real babies, toddlers and children were undergoing rape is absolutely beyond me.
“Your decision to seek out others with a similar interest and to create a Telegram account to hide your interest and make it easier to exchange messages is an aggravating feature of your case.
“Had it not been for your youth, your learning disabilities and lack of previous convictions I would have sent you directly to prison today.
“I have just been persuaded to take a chance by passing a suspended sentence order.
“You need extensive counselling to deal with your risk to prevent you from being tempted to look at these websites again.”
She added that if he did, he could expect to receive a prison sentence of 20 months.
Egan was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which he must attend 40 rehabilitation activity days overseen by the Probation Service and undergo a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
Read next ... more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
Scottish offender jailed for indecent images offences in County Durham
County Durham man downloaded indecent images of boys
Durham sex offender jailed for online chats with 'children'
He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements as a sex offender, both for ten years.
Judge Kidd warned him of the consequences of breaching either order, and added: “I don’t want to see you again, Mr Egan.
“If you do see me again, you will be going to prison.”
Share