Eden man had indecent child images on his phone

Christopher Emmens, 26, of Barrowmoor Road, Appleby, pleaded guilty to five offences relating to 46 illegal images of children when he appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate court.

There were three images classed as Category A – the most serious kind; 11 of Category B; and 32 at Category C. Emmens also admitted possessing five prohibited child images.

Prosecutor George Shelley said the offences came to light when police raided  the defendant’s home on the morning of September 2, when they found him in his bedroom.

The officers seized a pink Samsung mobile phone and it was on this device that the illegal child images were found. A man of previous good character, Emmens gave no comment replies when interviewed by the police.

District Judge John Temperley noted that the offences occurred over a relatively short period – three months and the number of images involved was also relatively small.

The judge told Emmens: “You have displayed remorse and an acceptance of the need for help and you are willing to engage with any non-custodial sentence which the court can impose.”

While the offences crossed the custody threshold, the judge said he was satisfied that he could draw back from jailing Emmens and impose a community sentence because there was a real prospect of rehabilitation.

District Judge Templerley imposed a two-year community order, which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activity and an accredited sex offender treatment programme.

Emmens must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work in the community as punishment and pay costs of £85 and a £95 victim surcharge.

As well as being put on the Sex Offender Register, the defendant will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period, five years, said the judge. This will place him under various restrictions, designed to prevent any repeat offending.

The defendant was not legally represented during the hearing.