A Killingworth man has avoided prison after police found indecent images of children, some as young as six, on his laptop. Lee O'Hara appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he admitted three offences of making indecent photographs of children.
Police Search and Seizure
Newcastle Crown Court heard that police visited O'Hara's home on June 11, 2024, and carried out a search. They seized a laptop, which was found to contain a number of indecent images of children as well as some videos. The haul included 12 images of the most serious Category A, 11 of Category B and 20 of Category C.
Some of the children in those photographs were as young as six, the court heard. O'Hara was arrested and interviewed, and later pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent photographs of children.
Defence and Background
It was said that O'Hara, 44, of The Paddock, Killingworth, had no previous convictions and was of previous good character. His barrister, Matthew Purves, said that while the laptop had been seized by police in 2024, the images had not been accessed for several years before that.
It was also said the defendant had a job and accommodation. Mr Purves told the court: "He's employed now and he's been in that position for the past nine years. He demonstrates someone who can be of good service." Since his arrest, the defendant had no further involvement with police, no further arrests, and no offences of any sort. Mr Purves said O'Hara was "certainly capable of rehabilitation in the community".
Sentencing and Conditions
Judge Tim Gittins told O'Hara: "In June 2024, you were seen by police officers who attended your home address. It's not clear why they had only just received information about indecent images being connected to your address." He noted that the laptop had been stored for some time and contained indecent images on the hard drive of children of all categories, including images and videos of very young children, some as young as six.
The judge said that "every download, each viewing, is a fresh abuse of the children", but acknowledged "there seems to have been little access to them". He told the defendant: "You have worked well throughout your adult life. The main stabilising factor is that you have retained your employment and accommodation." He added that O'Hara was 44, had good prospects of rehabilitation given his circumstances and the passing of time since the images were downloaded and viewed, and was overall of low risk of further offending.
O'Hara was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out a community programme and 100 hours of unpaid work.
