Normanton man who downloaded child abuse images avoids jail

An investigation into online activity led police to the address of Michael Couser in Normanton, where they seized digital devices, Leeds Crown Court was told.

A closer examination found they contained one Category A image, the most serious kind, along with two Category B and two Category C images.

During interview, Couser admitted the Samsung phone and the hard drive belonged to him, but initially denied any wrongdoing.

The 53-year-old, of Carlton Close, Normanton eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images.

No mitigation from his defence counsel was presented to the court.

Judge Christopher Batty said: "Anyone who looks at images such as these provides a market place.

"There's no suggestion that you have ever sought to abuse or have the desire to abuse a child.

"It's clear there's work that can be done with you that would ensure in the future you do not do anything like this again."

He was given a 12-month community order and a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to limit his internet use.