Stuart Barnett, an Egremont paedophile who downloaded obscene photographs of children, has been mandated to register on the Sex Offender’s Register for a duration of seven years.
Stuart Barnett, 42, intentionally sought photographs that suggested a sexual interest in children, as said before Workington Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Pamela Fee outlined that Barnett obtained, examined, and duplicated the photos from the internet.
Stuart Barnett was apprehended on August 17, 2023, on allegations of producing indecent photographs of minors. During the apprehension, he asserted that he bore no responsibility and deemed it ‘absurd.’
His mobile devices were confiscated – one personal and one professional. The phones were analysed, revealing that the personal device had inaccessible category B and C photos. No illicit photographs were discovered on the defendant’s work phone.
Ms. Fee stated that a limited quantity of category B and C photos was discovered. The photographs depicted a girl aged approximately 12 to 14, who was unequivocally a minor. The photos included a link for downloading the images.
Ms Fee said the browsing record of Stuart Barnett’s personal mobile phone showed ‘extensive use’ of a particular website which had been accessed by the Safari browser.
The material was indicative of a ‘sexual interest in children’ and there had been a ‘deliberate pursuit’ of that type of material, Ms Fee said.
During police interview, Stuart Barnett made no comment. In a second interview, he denied the offences and suggested someone else may have had access to his mobile phone.
Ms Fee said officers were able to find out it was not another person. Both Stuart Barnett’s work phone and personal phone were together and connected to the same mast at the same time.
The work phone was only used when working and the movements of both devices in tandem showed he was responsible for the browsing and nobody else, the prosecutor said.
An application was put forward for a sexual harm prevention order to ensure the risk of further offending was minimised.
Stuart Barnett, of Beech Avenue, Egremont, pleaded guilty to making one category B indecent image of a child and making two category C indecent images of a child.
Chris Toms, defending, said Stuart Barnett was to be sentenced only for the three images, not for the URL.
Mr Toms told the court: “A custodial sentence would have a disastrous effect on his family. He’s a self-employed businessman. He would spend a few months in jail and then would come out to a disaster zone.
“I don’t believe it does cross the custodial threshold. It’s at the lower end of this. A suspended sentence would be appropriate.”
Magistrates imposed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. Stuart Barnett was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years and was made the subject of a five -year Sexual Harm Prevention order.
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