Aylesbury man sentenced for making indecent images of children
He was convicted of three counts of making indecent images of children
A man from Aylesbury, who was convicted of three counts of making indecent images of children, has been sentenced.
Lee Joseph, aged 31, formerly of Eastern Street in Aylesbury, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of a count each of; making incident photographs of a child at Category A, B and C in a trial at Amersham Law Courts on 25 June.
Returning to the same court on Thursday (9 September), Joseph was sentenced to six months in prison for the Category A images, three months for the Category B images and two months for the Category C images, to run concurrently and suspended for two years.
He was also given a two-year supervision order and 15 rehabilitation days.
Joseph was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years, which prevents him from accessing the internet without police knowledge and is barred from using any form of deletion or encryption software or use any form of remote storage or possess a device capable of storing images without police permission.
Between 26 July, 2018, and 8 August, 2018, Joseph downloaded indecent images to a mobile phone.
As part of an unrelated investigation, Joseph had his phone seized and 15 indecent images were found in categories A to C.
A download of Joseph’s phone revealed various searches relating to a sexual interest in children.
Joseph pleaded not guilty in court, but a jury convicted him following a two-day trial.
Investigating officer Detective Constable James Lacey of Aylesbury CID said:
“The device seized from Lee Joseph was found to contain vile and sickening images of very young children being sexually abused – some of which were in Category A, meaning they contain penetrative sexual activity with children.
“Joseph lied throughout his police interviews, and during his trial even continued to lie to the jury about his sexual interest in children, and the internet searches he made around this.
“I am pleased he has been found guilty of these offences, and has now been sentenced.
“I am particularly satisfied he has now been placed on the sex offenders’ register, and is subject to a lengthy court order aimed at preventing further offending of this nature.
“I hope Joseph engages with the rehabilitation programme imposed by the court, and that it prevents him from engaging in this disgusting activity in the future.
“Downloading indecent child images is far from a victimless crime. In order for such images to be created, real children have been subjected to harrowing abuse at the hands of adults.
“While people continue to search for, and look at such images, there will be an ongoing demand for their creation, which puts vulnerable children at increased risk.
“For these reasons, Thames Valley Police will never tolerate people being involved in these images. We will always act on any intelligence about people being in possession of these materials, and place offenders in front of the court.”