Walsall man had 6,000 indecent images
A Walsall man who had more than 6,000 indecent images of children stored on a laptop and USB drive was spared jail after a judge felt it would be 'safer' for the public to offer him psychological help.
Adrian Miles, of Short Street, Darlaston, admitted three counts of possession or creation of indecent images of children, and one of being in possession of a prohibited image at Wolverhampton Crown Court in August.
The court heard that he had 6,063 Class C images, 42 Class B images and 11 of the most serious Class A images stored on his computer and a USB drive, with police also discovering search terms for 'pre-teen naturists' in his internet history.
Miles, aged 49, was arrested last September 29 after police were given a tip-off. He was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.
He was also given a mental health treatment requirement of two years, as well as a rehabilitation requirement of 25 days, alongside a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, meaning he will have to ensure his internet history is available to police.
He must sign on to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Prosecuting, Howard Searle, said: "Images were also stored on a USB stick and split into folders which were given titles such as Hotties One and Yummy 10."
Defence solicitor Arvind Sharma said that during psychological examinations Miles admitted he had 'an attraction' to children, described as a positive admission which differed from many similar offenders.
He added: "It is the opinion of probation officers that this will make it easier for them to work with him."
Judge Stephen Ward told Miles: "I have to hand out a sentence that will not only punish you, but help you rehabilitate if possible and also protect the public. I believe if you spent six months or a year in prison you would come out worse. Giving you access to help is a safer solution."
