Northwich man kept hundreds of indecent images of children

Paul Birleson has avoided jail after pleading guilty to a string of seven offences relating to the possession and distribution of images of children and animals.

At Chester Crown Court on Monday (October 7) the 48-year-old was handed a 24-month sentence - reduced from 30 months on account of his early guilty plea - suspended for two years.

“If you had a trial I could not have given the sentence I did today, that is how close you came to going to prison,” said judge Simon Berkson.

Prosecutor Tom McLoughlin explained that police raided Birleson’s home on July 28, 2022, following reports of suspicious behaviour on his Google account.

Police analysed his devices and found a total of 529 images, including 28 category A images and 115 category A videos, the most serious.

Birleson was also found to be in possession of 40 category B images and 89 category B videos, as well as 124 category C images and 106 videos.

Paul Birleson (Image: Supplied)

Also found on the devices were 25 extreme pornographic images involving dogs and cats.

Mr McLoughlin continued to explain there was evidence Birleson had watched these images on a TV at his home.

He had also distributed one category A image by sending it to someone over WhatsApp.

David Morton, defending, said his client was ‘utterly ashamed’ of what he had done.

He added Birleson has a ‘complicated’ medical history, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Birleson, formerly of Emmett Street in Barnton, also has no previous convictions and was described by the  Probation Service as having a ‘low risk of reoffending’.

“Ordinarily he is a bright, articulate and capable individual,” said Mr Morton.

“He has made it clear he is willing to put his back into effective work to rehabilitate.”

Mr Morton continued, saying his client had shown he is capable of change, highlighting his battle with alcoholism, with Birleson now the best part of 20 months sober.

Taking this all into account, Judge Berkson sentenced Birleson based on what he saw as the most serious of the seven charges – distribution of a category A indecent photograph of a child.

He said: “Not only do you like to watch child abuse on screens in front of you but you are prepared to distribute them to others with similar interest.

“Medical conditions are not in themselves a get out of jail free but here we have a combination of factors.”

Birleson, now of Carlingford Road in Chester-le-Street, was also ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement.

On top of this, Judge Berkson imposed a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.