A PERVERT gave a two-fingered salute outside court after avoiding going to prison for possessing indecent photographs of children for a second time.

Gary Sanders - who was given a suspended jail sentence in 2017 for similar offending - had previously admitted four counts. 

He appeared at Worcester Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday (August 19).

Jamie Scott, prosecuting the 43-year-old, explained police seized Samsung mobile phones when they attended his home in Corbett Avenue, Droitwich, on December 7 last year.

Worcester News: GESTURE: Gary Sanders gave an obsence gesture to a reporter outside Worcester Crown CourtGESTURE: Gary Sanders gave an obsence gesture to a reporter outside Worcester Crown Court

The prosecutor explained they discovered on the phones 15 category A images, the worst level identified within the sentencing guidelines, downloaded between May 21, 2016, and December 7, 2021. 

Mr Scott said there were also 27 category B images and 205 category C images, downloaded between the same dates.

And 13 prohibited images of a child, downloaded on December 7, 2021, were also found by police. 

The prosecutor described some of the graphic nature of the images which involved children as young as six-years-old.

Mr Scott also applied for a sexual harm prevention order as the previous one had elapsed.

Andrew Davidson, defending, said when Sanders was given the suspended jail sentence in 2017 he had not been ordered to take part in a sexual harm programme to address his issues.

"It is clear he needs intervention," Mr Davidson said. 

 

Judge says concern is pervert Gary Sanders would do it "again and again"

 

Sentencing him, Judge James Burbridge QC said the images contained "real victims that have been abused so that images can be shared."

The judge said Sanders had put the court in a difficult position with his serious offending, explaining he could justifiably jail him for a "moderate" amount of time. 

"I'm not sure that would benefit the public," the judge said. 

"The concern is you will do it again and again."

Judge Burbridge said it had been an "oddity" Sanders had not received intervention from specialists after his offending the first time round. 

The judge gave Sanders, formerly of Tolladine Road, Worcester, a three-year community order including 55 rehabilitation activity requirement days, adding this would be used to address Sanders' issues with child pornography. 

Worcester News: SENTENCED: Gary Sanders appeared at Worcester Crown CourtSENTENCED: Gary Sanders appeared at Worcester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Sanders was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and continues to sign the sex offenders register.

He was also ordered to pay £600 costs, higher because Sanders had not originally pleaded guilty at magistrates court. 

READ MORE: Gary Sanders watched child porn showing abuse of under fives

READ MORE: Magistrates order destruction of Rottweiler who bit girl in Dent Close

The judge ordered any future breaches be reserved to him warning, if there were: "I will sentence you to prison".

In 2017 the dad forced a trial and was found guilty by a jury of three counts of making indecent images of children.

The court heard the former site caretaker's marriage broke down as his wife could not move beyond what he had done.