EX-FIREFIGHTER FROM WORSLEY WHO DOWNLOADED OVER A MILLION SICKENING IMAGES OF BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN GETS A SUSPENDED SENTENCE

A former firefighter avoided a jail sentence after he was found to have downloaded over 1 Million indecent images of children over a period stretching as far back as 1998.

Police obtained a search warrant on the Worsley home of 59-year-old Bill Platt after information was brought forward to them that he had been downloading indecent images of children onto his computer. However, officers were unaware of the enormity and scale of the amount of vile, sickening images and videos of minors ranging in age from young babies to 16-years-olds.

In total, police confiscated 24 devices from his premises and upon forensic analysis by specialist police officers, he was found to be in possession of 15,690 of the worst type Category A images, 15,753 Category B images, and a staggering 837,729 images within Category C.

Mr Platt plead guilty of the offences at the first opportunity and admitted that he had downloaded the images.

During their investigation, police had established that Platt who set up as a photographer after leaving the fire service, had taken a number of non-sexualised images of children himself which the prosecution argued had been a worrying change of tactic.

Alex Leach QC said:

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“This was a substantial collection of sickening images depicting the rape and sexual abuse of children.” 

He went on to say:

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“I am told you have been tackling the root of your offending, and that your partner stands by you , whilst the probation service feel they can assist you and that you are a good candidate for rehabilitation.

“I have received a letter from Safer Lives and the probation service who say you do pose a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. A short custodial sentence would not accomplish these aims.”

 

Platt, of Gambleside Close, was handed 20 months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Additionally he was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, along with being banned from using the internet without first informing the police.

The order also prevents Mr Platt from using any software that circumvents the recording of his internet history.

He was also ordered to sign the notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.