Made indecent photographs or 'pseudo-photographs' of a child.

A 19-year-old man, Thomas Leech, has been jailed for two years for posting extreme right-wing and racist material online and creating indecent images of children.

Leech, from Preston, pleaded guilty to seven charges in Manchester Crown Court, including three counts of publishing statements encouraging terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.

He also admitted to four additional offenses related to racial and religious hatred, as well as making indecent images of children.

In addition to his two-year prison sentence, Leech was given a 12-month extended license period, placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years, and subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 10-year notification requirement under the Terrorism Act 2008.

The investigation began in February 2020 when a report was filed concerning a user posting hateful and racist comments online, expressing support for extreme right-wing ideologies. Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), with assistance from Counter Terrorism Command, identified the user as Leech.

Further research revealed numerous online postings by Leech, including anti-Semitic and racist remarks. He was arrested at his home in November 2020, but continued posting extremist content online after being released on bail.

An examination of Leech's digital devices uncovered evidence of indecent images of children, leading to his arrest in February 2021. He eventually pleaded guilty to seven offenses in December 2021.

Detective Superintendent Will Chatterton, head of CTPNW investigations, stated: "Leech's comments and behavior online were despicable, and a thorough investigation was able to identify these posts and present them as evidence in court."

Chatterton emphasized CTPNW's commitment to addressing such complaints seriously and employing all legal means to bring offenders to justice.