A FORMER charity volunteer who was found with indecent images of children on his computer tried to blame another family member for downloading them.

Preston Crown Court heard how 47-year-old Peter Webster, who served in the British Army in Iraq and Northern Ireland, had searched for specific material relating to incest.

Webster’s offending only came to light in August 2016 when police raided his home in Gladstone Street, Bacup, after concerns were raised about material being accessed online from the address.

Prosecuting, David Clarke said material was found on a number of devices but not all of it related to Webster.

Underage material was also downloaded from a naturist site.

Mr Clarke said Webster had downloaded two category A indecent images of children, which feature the most serious examples of child sexual abuse, five category B and two category C. The youngest child being abused was eight-years-old.

Webster, who had volunteered for Haslingden-based Veterans in the Community before his involvement was terminated by the charity when news of his offending came to light, denied his involvement until the day he was due to stand trial.

At that point Webster, who has a previous conviction for sexual assault on a minor from when he was 16-years-old, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing indecent images of children. Those offences took place in August 2016.

Defending, Sara Haque said her client, who is on sickness benefits, felt a ‘very clear sense of shame and disgust’.

Ms Haque said: “He has lost his role and support with the Veterans in the Community group. That was something he felt very strongly about and was very deeply involved in.”

Making reference to Webster’s involvement with Veterans in the Community, Ms Haque said: “As a result of these matters my client’s role with the charity was terminated immediately. The chairman of the charity is alive to the various safeguarding issues it will raise.”

Judge Simon Newell said the type of offending Webster was involved in led to the abuse of children both in the UK and abroad.

Webster was sentenced to a three-year community order, with the condition that he must attend an accredited sexual offender’s programme for 80 days and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also made subject of a five year sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.