A paedophile, who filmed a half naked young girl on his mobile phone, was found with a stash of child abuse images when police raided his home.
Callum Moon, 22, claimed he was “not sexually attracted to children in real life” despite the fact he had downloaded more than 500 indecent images, including of young children being raped. Moon, of Van Dyke Street, Toxteth, pleaded guilty to being in possession of 582 indecent images of children, 116 of which were classed as Category A, depicting the most serious forms of abuse.
But officers also discovered that Moon had been filming videos of a young girl himself, which appeared to “focus on the pubic area” of her body. Mobile phones also contained extreme pornography and seven videos that were classed at Category A.
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Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that police obtained a warrant and searched Moon’s address. Five devices were seized and after examination of two mobile phones the collection of indecent images of children were uncovered - some of which involved girls as young as eight years old.
Mr Blasbery said that a Category C video taken by Moon was of 42 seconds in length and featured a young girl's “pubic area in focus.” It was found that three still images were taken as screenshots from the video and were of the “genital area”.
The court heard that Moon made a full admission to being in possession of the indecent images and videos. Brendan Carville, defending, said his client admitted to “having a sexual attraction to the images” but this had stopped prior to police searching his home.
Mr Carville said that his defendant claimed he had no “live interest” in sex with children and that he was not attracted to children in “real life”. He said that this was a “sad case” and outlined that Moon was of previously good character and has cooperated with police.
Sitting in the dock wearing a black jacket, Moon was described as a “loner” who had lived a “sheltered life”. The court was told that Moon was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder but was not receiving treatment for the condition.
Following meetings with probation and mental health officers during the day, Judge David Aubrey KC heard that Moon “was suitable for mental health treatment requirements”. It was added that Moon was willing to work towards “therapeutic goals” and was “critical of himself” and wanted to “address these feelings”.
Judge Aubrey observed that Moon “clearly has mental health problems'' but said this was an “extremely difficult and troubling case”. Referring back to Mr Carville's defence, he described Moon as a “very isolated person” but added: “You have recognised that you need help and that you wish to receive help.”
The court also heard that following his arrest Moon tried to end his own life, “such was the fear of going to prison.”
Moon was handed a two year suspended sentence and must partake in 12 one-hour mental health sessions. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
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