Kevin Clark, a 63-year-old man from Darlington, County Durham, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for distributing and possessing indecent images of children and animals.

Clark engaged in online conversations with what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, using the alias "John Smyth." During these conversations, he sent her explicit videos of animal sexual abuse and attempted to engage her in sexually suggestive conversations.

Police arrested Clark in May 2023 based on intelligence regarding his possession of illegal child pornography. A search of his mobile phone revealed a collection of disturbing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of both children and animals.

Clark pleaded guilty to charges including distribution of indecent images, making indecent images, attempting sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to watch a sex act, and possession of extreme pornography featuring animals.

During his sentencing hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Clark's defense attorney argued that he had been isolated and grieving the loss of his mother at the time of the offenses. However, Judge Paul Reid condemned Clark's actions, stating that even in the face of personal tragedy, resorting to such "utterly disgusting behavior" was unacceptable.

Clark has been placed on the sex offender register for a period of ten years and will serve his sentence behind bars.