A FORMER warden at a top security prison in Evesham who was found with indecent images on his laptop has been handed a suspended sentence.
Anthony Lowe, who worked at Long Lartin Prison in South Littleton and now lives in Stockton-on-Tees, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (April 8) after police found images of young girls aged 12 to 14 following an investigation.
Prosecuting, Kevin Grego, said: “The images included four category B images and one video, as well as, four category C images and two videos.
“There are no adults involved and given the nature of the photos it shows an unhealthy sexual interest.
“There is no suggestion of contact offences, just searches on the internet.”
Police confiscated an iPhone and laptop from the 44-year-old’s house but he denied any intentional downloading of illegal images, the court heard.
In his defence, barrister Makkan Shoker, said: “It is abundantly clear that his discretion has resulted in substantial personal losses. He has lost his job, his wife and is in debt.
“He is totally ashamed of what he has done.”
Recorder Adrian Feest QC, said: “Anyone who looks at images of child abuse would very much go to prison but if you had more images of a more serious category and if younger children were involved I would have sent you to prison.
“You are a 44-year-old man and because of your previous employment you know what happens. “When people are looking at images like this, it means people are creating them and this damages young children irreparably.”
Lowe was handed a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years and he must undertake a 20-day rehabilitation programme with the probation service.
He was also ordered to sign the sexual offenders register for seven years and a sexual prevention order was made for five years.
