A three-time convicted sex offender who downloaded more than 100,000 indecent images of children has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he directed police to a computer they had missed during an initial search of his home.
Carl Mitchell, 59, of Shakespeare Street in Southport, was arrested on September 30 last year when Merseyside Police executed a search warrant at his address. Officers seized several electronic devices, but Mitchell later told them about a computer tower that had not been recovered.
Second search uncovers huge stash
A second search of the property led to the discovery of the computer and three external hard drives. On these devices, police found a total of 11,046 indecent images of children in category A, the most serious classification. This included 358 videos, among them sickening footage of a baby aged just six to 12 months being sexually assaulted.
Also found were 10,483 images in category B and 95,248 in category C, as well as 24 extreme pornographic images. Mitchell has 15 previous convictions for 28 offences, including indecent assault in 1986 and 1988, though he had no further convictions since 2002.
Defence cites remorse and rehabilitation
Lloyd Morgan, defending, told Liverpool Crown Court that Mitchell had made full admissions about his sexual interest in children. He said: "It is someone who has struggled to come to grips with that interest. It shows that he is ashamed and appalled of his behaviour and has showed a desperation for help."
Morgan argued there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, noting the significant gap in offending and Mitchell's mental health difficulties. He urged the court to give him an opportunity to prove himself, warning that any breach would lead to prison.
Judge highlights aggravating factors
Sentencing, Judge Brian Cummings KC highlighted four aggravating features: the sheer volume of category A material, including videos of a baby; the huge volumes of category B and C material; and Mitchell's previous convictions for indecent assault. However, he accepted Mitchell's frankness as mitigation.
The judge said: "I accept that you have, and it is unusual in this class of case, exhibited a level of frankness. Whether it is remorse is perhaps another matter, but certainly a level of frankness by way of recognition of what you have done."
Mitchell admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornographic images. He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days, a programme requirement, and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.
He was also made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders' register for the same period.
