by Annette Wilson

awilson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A former Canterbury computer student found with over 3,000 images of child pornography has escaped jail because of efforts to turn his life around.

Benjamin West, 29, of St Georges Avenue, Sheerness appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court having admitted 28 charges of making indecent images ranging from over 3,000 images at levels one to four and four images at the most serious and depraved level five.

Judge James O’Mahony told West: "Anybody who does what you did, form part of a market for that sort of material to be disseminated, is rightly held in utter disregard by decent people and also deserves to go to prison.”

Prosecutor Brigit Todd told the court the images were recovered from West’s computers when he was living at Reeve Avenue, Canterbury while he was a student in 2007 and 2008 and from other computers at his home in Sheerness in 2008 and 2009.

It was while police were dealing with West for the voyeurism offence for which he later appeared in the magistrates court, it transpired he was studying computer science and living in Canterbury and his computers were seized along with hard drives.

He was again arrested at home in 2009 and several computer units taken away and examined. Philip Rowley, for West, said it was not possible to establish exactly when images were downloaded and West said most of the images were accessed before he was arrested and charged with voyeurism and he had been observing the terms of a community order made for that offence in 2009.

He was also ordered to attend a sex offenders treatment programme but had been unable to start. He had however engaged fully in pre-group work.

“Since there has been intervention by way of the community order, he has done everything he can to address his problem. He has sought to change the nature of his life because certainly at the time of the arrest he was living an isolated life and found himself behaving as he did.

“He now lives in family accommodation, in a relationship and having lost his previous job, is actively seeking work,” said Mr Rowley. He said West was trying to put his previous life behind him.

Judge O’Mahony said: "Evidence from the report is that you have done what is required of you and you are to be dealt with for something that goes back to the time when you were dealt with for the voyeurism.

“That helps you, although it is clear you have a sick addiction, just enough from going to prison.”

The community order will continue to run and West was sentenced to a total of nine months, suspended for two years with 24 months supervision for the downloading offences.

He will be subject to a sex offences prevention order for five years.