University graduate was found in possession of indecent images.

University Graduate Found Guilty of Possessing Indecent Images

A university graduate was found in possession of indecent images after police pulled him over in Newcastle.

Joshua Tilley was stopped by police following "suspicious" online activity flagged to them, and his mobile phone was seized.

An examination of the phone revealed 11 indecent images in category C, leading to Tilley's arrest.

This week, Tilley, from West Bridgford, Nottingham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing a charge of making indecent images. He pleaded guilty to the offense, which occurred on or around May 13, 2022.

The court heard that police were on duty in Newcastle when they stopped Tilley's vehicle. Stephen Davies, prosecuting, stated: "They stopped a vehicle occupied by the defendant. His mobile phone was seized and examined, and a number of images were found. [A total of] 11 category C images involving children were found."

The court was informed that Tilley had no prior convictions.

Michael Gibson, defending, explained: "He came to police [attention] due to some suspicious activity on the web. There was a file with 11 pictures on his phone, the last time that file was accessed was in 2020.

"He had graduated with a first degree and was studying in Edinburgh. He was bored and was chatting to a female [online], and she told him she was 16-years-old. The [chat] was transferred to Snapchat and she sent him some images. He never requested them."

Magistrates fined Tilley £666 and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £266 and costs of £85. He will also be on the sex offenders' registers for five years.