An Eastbourne paedophile Steven Cheffings discovered with child pornography and bestiality photographs on his phone has been spared jail.
After authorities followed Steven Cheffings using internet channels to talk about mistreating youngsters, some as young as eight, he was apprehended at his Eastbourne house.
Steven Cheffings admitted guilt to having six Category B, eight Category C, eighteen indecent Category A photographs, extreme pornographic images of an animal, and illegal images of a minor. A is the poorest and highest category.
Sussex Police arrested the thirty-five-year-old on September 22, 2022. Lewes Crown Court, seated in Brighton, heard him give his phone and supply the pin code immediately.
With a stable residence, Steven Cheffings was asked to an interview that same day and advised not to visit his house address or interact with children.
The court heard the father-of-four had been detained in custody since December 28 owing to a breach of his release terms.
Defending, George Skinner argued for a suspended sentence and claimed Steven Cheffings had a “realistic chance of rehabilitation”.
He claimed: “He has put his hands up and accepts what he has done. He knows his acts that have resulted in him losing everything.
“It has been a brief, sharp shock him being in prison for a short time.”
The court heard Steven Cheffings had a “difficult childhood” since he suffered maltreatment during his early years. Furthermore, he saw domestic violence in his house.
Mr Skinner said: “He needs therapy and counselling to get past that incident.”
He would find himself booted out onto the streets or locked in rooms.
Previously a hod carrier, Steven Cheffings was said to be a man of former good reputation. He had one past conviction for cocaine possession in 2012.
Judge David Rennie said: “People who interact with this revolting content assist in fostering an industry that abuses children in the worst ways possible.
“People like you can access this stuff while seated in dark places. It isn’t perfect.
Steven Cheffings was suspended two years ago and sentenced to ten months in jail. He also needs to attend 47 days of different rehabilitation courses.
He was also given a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.
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