Portland man faces prison after pleading guilty to child porn charges

James Mark Philpot, 27, of Weston Street, admitted making over 150 indecent images of children when he appeared at Dorchester Crown Court.

The offences took place between March 1 and March 18, 2009, and the images were graded from level one to level five, with five being the most serious.

Philpot admitted making 104 level one photos of a child, seven grade two images, 20 level three photos, eight level four images and 12 grade five.

Clifford Grier, prosecuting, told the court that Philpot was a man of previous good character.

Judge Roger Jarvis said Philpot would automatically be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, with the period he will remain on the register to be determined at sentence.

The judge adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and warned the defendant: “You won’t be surprised to learn that the court takes a very serious view when someone admits this kind of offence, particularly when amongst these offences there are photos at level four and level five.

“There is almost an inevitability of a prison sentence when the time comes to sentence you but as you have never been in trouble before I am going to require the preparation of a pre-sentence report.”

Director of children’s charity Kidscape Claude Knights backed the judge’s view that the serious nature of the images involved in the case was particular cause for concern.

She said: “All indecent images of children are distressing and disturbing but when they are at level four and five we know there is a high level of indecency, often involving the sorts of things that most people would abhor.

“The people who download or distribute these images are contributing and enhancing the crime as they allow the market for these horrendous images to thrive.

“We have to remember all of these images are scenes involving children and young people and are crime scenes as well.”

Philpot was released on bail and will return to court for his sentencing hearing tomorrow.