Former Chesterfield scout leader convicted after downloading thousands of indecent images

Close to 80,000 searches were made online

Derby Crown Court
Author: Trevor ThomasPublished 5th May 2023

An ex-scout leader of 39 years from Chesterfield has been spared jail for using a Russian site to download indecent images.

Martin Platts - possessed thousands of images - relating to child sex offences - and made close to 80,000 searches online.

Opening the sentencing, the judge said how the 66-year-old "deliberately and systematically" searched for indecent images of children - some as young as seven.

These included children being tortured and sexually abused.

Derby Crown Court heard how he betrayed the community who have looked to him and he was handed a two year sentence - suspended for two years.

Platts was spared an immediate custodial sentence due to his ill health.

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