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A computer pornographer has confessed to making indecent photographs of children.

Brian Hart, of Constable Road, Haverhill, appeared before St Edmundsbury magistrates in Bury St Edmunds last week and admitted two charges of distributing indecent photographs of children between October 2000 and October 2001.

Hart, 33, also admitted 15 charges of making indecent photographs of children in October
2001.

Brendan Fulham, chairman of the bench, told Hart: -‘The powers of the magistrates’ court are insufficient in this matter.

“You will therefore go to the Crown Court for sentence.”

Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, told the court the offences came to light as a result of a joint operation between the Obscene Publications Unit of the Metropolitan Police and internet service provider Yahoo.

Hart was traced as a user who had posted 14 indecent images of children on to a community internet site.

Hart’s computer was seized and 346 images of children were found on it, as well as another 130 such images on CD-ROMs and back-up data.

Hart admitted the offences when interviewed by police.
Miss Dyer told the court that the maximum penalty which could be imposed for such charges in the Crown Court had been more than doubled last year, from three years to 10 years.

A maximum sentence of six months could be imposed by magistrates but Miss Dyer said the fact that distribution was involved was an aggravating feature.

David Smithet, representing Hart said his client was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty at the first possible opportunity.

He produced previous case law which suggested a custodial sentence was not always necessary.

Hart will appear at Bury Crown Court for sentence at a date to be fixed.

Joint operation … Internet service provider Yahoo! And Metropolitan Police’s Obscene Publications Unit.