Blackpool child porn pervert, 78, spared prison as wife supports him at court in Preston

Anthony Martin, from Blackpool, was supported by his wife of 45 years when he appeared at the city's crown court for sentence.

Judge Andrew Jefferies handed down a six months prison term, suspended for 18 months, after hearing he had never been in trouble before and a probation service report said there was a good chance he would not re-offend.

But the judge told him: "Every time someone downloads or accesses a picture of a child engaged in sexual activity that puts another child at risk of being a victim of sex abuse, because if people don't view these images they wouldn't be created. It's as simple as that - cause and effect, supply and demand."

The court was told that police, acting on information, raided Martin's home. On his computer they discovered a shocking 21-second video of a sex act involving a seven-year-old child. They also found a total of 819 indecent photographs of children downloaded from a site called "Jailbait" on the dark web.

Defence barrister Sharon Watson said the conviction had had "an awful impact on his wife and him." Mrs Martin wept throughout the hearing in the public gallery.

The lawyer added: "He was of previous good character, hard-working, loving and married for over 45 years to the same lovely lady. He’s so deeply ashamed of what he’s done. It has come as a great shock to his wife. She is here today to support her husband.

"Why, at his age, at his time of life, was he going to the dark web looking at these indecent photographs of children? He now understands that these children are being exploited and are victims. He has grasped that finally."

Martin was sentenced to six months for the offence involving the video of the seven-year-old. The judge also imposed two-month sentences on two other counts involving images of children to run concurrently. The sentences were suspended for 18 months.

Martin was ordered to complete 35 hours of rehabilitation sessions "to assist you in coming to terms with what you have done." The judge added: "I am hoping that the optimism expressed by probation officers is well-founded and you don't re-offend."