Man caught with hundreds of indecent images of children told police they ‘popped up’ on his computer – Manchester Evening News

A man caught downloading hundreds of indecent images of children has avoided jail.

John Glynn told police the disturbing images appeared on his computer as pop-ups when he was arrested last year.

The 64-year-old used anti-forensic software in a bid to cover up his twisted crimes.

Police visited Glynn at his home on Hawthorne Avenue, Wigan, on June 14.

They seized his computers acting on information they had received.

On his devices, officers found 347 category A images, 252 category B images and 565 category C images.

Glynn, who has 14 grandchildren, told police he downloaded the images by accident after they popped up on his computer.

Bolton Crown Court heard how he ran the anti-forensic software in an attempt to conceal his actions 400 times in one year.

John Close, prosecuting, said a number of files had been deleted using the software. When arrested, Glynn gave no comment replies.

He was later charged with three counts of downloading indecent photographs of a child between December 2017 and June 2020.

Defending Glynn, barrister Paul Becker said: These are disturbing offences, one only has to listen to the description from the prosecution to understand.

I am sure the defendant sits ashamed in court.

There has been quite a history to this case, it has been adjourned several times due the poor health of the defendant.

Just a few weeks ago, he was admitted to hospital and had stomach surgery due to years of drinking far too much.

There is no question that the best mitigation in this case is a guilty plea.

He has never been in custody before and has been out of trouble for the last 40 years.

He is sorry for what he has done. He understands this is not acceptable.

Before passing sentence, Judge Walsh said: You are 64 years of age.

These offences of downloading images are not victimless crimes because the images that are downloaded show the real abuse of real children.

The people that are involved in manufacturing and distributing, if caught, can expect to go to prison for a very long period of time.

You effectively are of good character, being out of trouble since 1980.

Glynn was handed 45 rehabilitation requirement days, a community order and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

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Man caught with hundreds of indecent images of children told police they 'popped up' on his computer - Manchester Evening News