Pervert avoids jail over stash of child abuse images

Johan Beckers, of Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, appeared before a Bolton Crown Court judge to be given an eight-month prison sentence which was suspended for 24 months.

The jobless 41-year-old had already pleaded guilty before Wigan and Leigh magistrates to three charges of possessing vile “child porn” pictures and films, 34 of which fell into the most serious category (A).

Of the remainder, 18 fell into category B and a massive 4,761 were classified as C.

The court heard that police received intelligence that Beckers was viewing illegal images of youngsters.

On Saturday October 6 2018 a search warrant was executed by officers from the Sexual Crime unit of Greater Manchester Police at his home address. Beckers was present when IT equipment seized on which they later found the indecent images.

All the images had been made between May 21 and 23 2017.

As well as the suspended prison sentence, Beckers was ordered to sign onto the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and he was also made the subject of a decade-long sexual harm prevention order.

The judge also imposed a community punishment which includes a 15-day rehabilitation requirement.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.