Man Sentenced for Sharing Child Abuse Images on WhatsApp

A 37-year-old man, identified as Daglish, was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, for sharing child abuse images on WhatsApp.

Daglish, from South Shields, pleaded guilty to one charge of distributing an indecent image, three of making indecent images, and one of possessing a prohibited image, which was a cartoon.

The court heard that Daglish's mobile phone and tablet contained 10 Category A child abuse images and videos, the most serious category, as well as 23 Category B and 16 Category C images.

Judge Julie Clemitson stated that Daglish was part of a WhatsApp group where members shared an interest in child abuse material, sexual violence, and bestiality, and suggested websites containing "horrific" content.

"He was an associate of those who had particularly gruesome interests," the judge said.

Judge Clemitson emphasized that while there was no evidence Daglish viewed the "horrific" websites suggested by the group, the child abuse images found on his devices depicted real victims enduring lasting harm.

"You claim to have no sexual interest in children and that I cannot accept but hopefully it is something you will come to deal with in due course," the judge told Daglish.

Daglish's defense attorney argued that he was remorseful and that the probation service believed he could benefit from intervention.

"This is a defendant who the probation service say they can work with and who they say can benefit from intervention," Gavin Doig said.

As part of his sentence, Daglish was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years.