Blackburn man avoids jail over distribution of child sex images

James McKay pleaded guilty to making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children on the basis he was a member of a Kik messenger group chat, in the role of moderator and administrator, and had been for eight years.

Preston Crown Court was told the 56-year-old had received images from other members of the group and knew they were indecent, but instead of informing the police about the crimes, sent them back to the senders and challenged them about their content.

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell said McKay, of Colenso Road, Blackburn, had been found in possession of the images after information was passed to the police.

He told the court: “There were 16 category A images, 21 category B images and 149 category C images found.

“The images were recovered from a mobile phone.

“In his two interviews, one in 2019 and the second in 2021 he put similar versions of his explanation as per his basis of plea.”

The offences took place between August 28, 2019, and September 3, 2019.

Offering mitigation for McKay, who has no previous convictions, Tom Lord asked for a suspended sentence.

Judge Guy Mathieson said: “The internet and social media have opened up a Pandora’s box of thrills for those who want to see them and they can be as extreme as the person wishes to find.

“This Kik app seems to have come onto something like that – like-minded individuals sharing and swapping imagery they thought they would be interested in.

“Quite why you wanted to be a part of that group is beyond me.

“Unsurprisingly where there’s questionable material swapped and discussed people push the boundaries of it.

"None of this is really acceptable – there are victims in these images that are being circulated for gratification.

“The fact you know people who are spreading this stuff is questionable at every level.

“You should not challenge them about it, you should get rid of them and report them to the police.

“I am willing to accept this is not what you are into, but in some of these it’s no more than torture and abuse of young children and that’s why it’s so serious.

“The message needs to go out to everyone that swapping images like this will be punished with a custodial sentence."

However the judge said that in McKay's "particular circumstance, I am satisfied that it can be suspended".

McKay was jailed for six months, suspended for 12 months, and told to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, made subject to a five year sexual harm prevention order and will need to sign the sex offenders register for the next seven years.

Judge Mathieson added: “This is now hanging over your head – it’s what you bring on yourself if you entertain people with niche and horrible interests.”