A MAN accessed indecent images on a messaging app because he was ‘curious’ – but denied to a court that he was sexually attracted to children.
Christopher Spriggs, aged 55, was investigated by the National Crime Agency as part of an investigation into child exploitation and sex offenders.
They found that Springs used the Kik messaging app, which allows users to communicate and share images with others, to access illegal pornography in February 2020.
Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, explained to Weymouth Magistrates’ Court how National Crime Agency located Spriggs via his IP address and referred their findings to Dorset Police who visited his home address in May 2020.
He said: “The indecent images linked to the relevant email (of the Kik account) included some very young children, apparently some as young as five years old.
“As a result of the referral orders, Dorset Police and officers from Paedophile Online Investigation Team visited his address and he identified himself as owner of the email.
“A search was conducted and a mobile and laptop was seized. The devices were examined and indecent images were on them.”
Across Sprigg’s devices, it was found he was in possession of five Category A images, which included a duplicate image, as well as 26 Category B and 185 Category C images.
Mr Oakley added some of the more serious images featured a girl as young as eight.
Spriggs, who admitted he was struggling with mental health issues, confessed to police officers that the devices were his and he had accessed the illegal images out of morbid curiosity.
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Mr Oakley said: “In his second police interview, he stated that he had bought the phone new and that no one else had access to it.
“He stated that whilst on the Kik app for a period of four days, he said he would chat others who would post indecent images from people in the US.
“He didn’t ask for them but he would look at the thumbnails (of the images). He said the reason he downloaded them was for curiosity and he was not sexually attracted to children.”
Spriggs, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images.
Defending, Simon Lacey, said the offences had a ‘devastating effect’ on his mental health and family life and he expressed remorse for his actions.
He said: “He did contact one group to attend a course. He felt it was important to do that and realise the consequences of what happened.
“He has also been to Reach to get their support. He realises the enormity of these offences.”
Due to the seriousness of the charges and limited sentencing powers of magistrates, the case was adjourned for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court and to allow a pre-sentence report to be carried out.
Spriggs was released on unconditional bail but told he must register at Weymouth Police Station within the next three days for his interim sexual harm prevention order.
Spriggs will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, November 29.
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