A teaching assistant from Redcar has been jailed after police discovered more than 12,000 child abuse images in his possession. Sam Anderson, 30, of Dale Street, New Marske, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing on three charges of making indecent images, possession of extreme pornography and possession of 26 prohibited images of children. He had previously entered guilty pleas.
Police uncover massive cache
The court was told that Cleveland Police received a referral from the National Crime Agency concerning an online account linked to Anderson that had been uploading category A indecent images. On August 6 last year, officers arrested him at his home and seized two devices, which led to the discovery of thousands of indecent photographs.
In total, Anderson was found to have 3,492 images classified in the most serious category A, 2,539 category B photographs and more than 6,400 in category C. Some of the content featured infants. The court heard that Anderson began gathering the material when he was just 13 years old.
Court hears of 'worst' images
Emily Sanderson, prosecuting, referred to a police officer involved in the investigation, stating: "Not only was it the largest quantity [he'd seen] possessed by an individual, but the worst he has ever seen." She explained that the material featured babies and youngsters experiencing "pain and distress".
The court was informed that Anderson had been employed as a teaching assistant and had no previous convictions. Imogen Eastham-Brown, defending, said: "He didn't have a regular childhood, he experienced social isolation and was bullied at school. He became withdrawn and attempted to take his own life numerous times. He is incredibly scared of the social repercussions and he knows life is never going to be the same again."
Sentence handed down
Passing sentence, Recorder Andrew Haslam KC noted that numerous youngsters depicted in the images were either "drugged, intoxicated or both". He added: "You were heavily invested in obtaining and viewing such material."
Anderson received a 24-month prison term and will remain on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed and will last until further order.
