Marc Lillie, 38, of Thristley Gardens, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of prohibited images of children and making indecent images. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
Police arrested Lillie on July 9 last year after receiving intelligence that an account linked to him had uploaded an indecent image to the internet. Following his arrest, police discovered 641 category C indecent images in his possession, along with 685 prohibited images.
Cartoon and anime images
The court heard that some of the images were cartoons and anime depicting naked children. Mairi Clancy, prosecuting, said: "He admitted he uploaded [the image] to the internet but didn't believe it was illegal as it was a cartoon." Further indecent images were discovered which depicted "cartoons of naked children".
The court also heard that Lillie had used search terms relating to child sex abuse online and had entered into discussions with another like-minded individual regarding child sexual abuse. He had no previous convictions.
Secluded life online
Liam O'Brien, defending, said: "He has never previously found himself before the courts or in any trouble at all with police. He was diagnosed as autistic as a child. He always found it very difficult to interact socially with other people. He lives a very secluded life at home with his mum, rarely leaving the house."
Mr O'Brien added: "He has no real-life friends, his whole life really is online. He found himself looking at more and more extreme material online. It started with an interest in Japanese comics and cartoons and, over time, sexualised content."
Sentence and orders
Recorder Jamie Hill sentenced Lillie to six months prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undertake 100 hours unpaid work. He must also complete 25 rehabilitation days and was put on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
A 10-year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed and he must pay £500 costs. Recorder Hill told him: "A lot of your time appears to have been spent inhabiting a virtual world online. At times, it moved into a dark place."
