Man Escapes Jail After Admitting to Possessing Over 15,000 Child Abuse Images

A 49-year-old man, Tony Collins, has avoided a prison sentence despite being found in possession of more than 15,000 indecent photographs of children. Collins, from Liverpool, claimed he "didn't realize it was illegal" to possess such images, which included those depicting children as young as five.

Officers discovered the images on electronic devices belonging to Collins during a search of his home in 2021. The collection included "category A images," considered the most graphic, and involved children between the ages of five and nine. Some of the photographs were even found in the recycling bin.

During a voluntary interview, Collins stated that he has learning difficulties and struggles with reading and writing. He claimed he "didn't look for images of children he wasn't sexually attracted to." Despite the severity of the offense, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, Collins was spared jail time due to his lack of prior convictions and "personal characteristics."

The judge, Recorder Harris, acknowledged the seriousness of the crime, stating, "It's important to note viewing and downloading of images, you are perpetuating a wicked and repellent market for the exploitation of children, some are very young." He emphasized the significant psychological harm inflicted on children forced to pose for such images.

Collins pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent photographs and prohibited images of children. While "making" such images carries a harsher penalty than "possessing" them, Recorder Harris determined that Collins posed a "medium risk of harm to children" and had a "realistic chance of rehabilitation."

As an alternative to imprisonment, Collins was sentenced to three years of concurrent community orders and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement. He is mandated to work with the police sexual offences unit and undergo educational programs to prevent further offending. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for five years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.