Paedophile distributed indecent images of children

Alan Bainbridge, of Doward Street in Widnes, was caught with hundreds of vile pictures of minors – as well as videos of sex acts involving humans and dogs.

The 62-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court for sentence yesterday, Tuesday, after admitting distributing indecent images, three counts of making indecent images, possession of indecent images and possession of extreme pornographic images at Warrington Magistrates Court last month.

Defence barrister Kyra Badman asked that her client be treated as ‘effectively a person of good character’ – having had one previous conviction from 1985 – and submitted that the case should be adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

She added that the distribution offence could carry a term of three years in prison.

Recorder Ian Unsworth agreed to the adjournment, and the sentencing will now take place back before the same court next month.

Bainbridge has been released on conditional bail until that date.

The judge said: “Clearly this is a serious matter, but I can see that the sentencing court would undoubtedly be assisted by a pre-sentence report.

“I’m just about persuaded that there should be one.

“This needs to be dealt with as soon as practical.

“The fact that I am adjourning this case should not give any interpretation to you – clearly this is a very serious case.”

Charge sheets state that Bainbridge, who brought a packed bag with him to court, was found in possession of 501 indecent images of children – including 151 ‘category A’ images, depicting the most serious abuse – in Warrington in May last year.

He had also distributed two category A videos the same month, and had 52 extreme pornographic images.