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16
Feb
Harrogate man who made dozens of indecent images avoids jail
Warning: this article contains distressing details.
A Harrogate man who made a catalogue of indecent images of children has avoided immediate custody.
Nicholas Hodgson, 43, was sentenced for five counts of making indecent images of children at Harrogate Magistrates Court last Friday (February 13) after admitting the offences in November.
A pre-sentence report prepared ahead of Friday's hearing was not read to the court.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court when Hodgson was arrested for the offences, which took place between May and October 2024, his devices were seized.
Hodgson gave officers a pin to access his phone, which unearthed a number of indecent images, including one category C moving image, six category B moving images and 23 category B still images.
Hodgson also made seven still and 14 moving category A images – the most serious kind.
The court previously heard following arrest, Hodgson told police he was “not a risk to children”.
He then admitted there was a “private safe” on his phone in which some of the videos were stored. One of the videos was 10 minutes long and involved a young girl being raped, the court was told at the time.
The defendant made a full admission to the police, Ms Ibbotson said on Friday, and has one matter of a similar nature on his record which was dealt with as an out-of-court disposal.
Custodial sentence
Andrew Tinning, defending, described the case as “rather unusual”.
He said Hodgson, of Albert Road, came out of his custody cell to tell officers there were “things on his phone”.
Mr Tinning added:
He then made a full admission at the police station and gave officers pin numbers to get into his phone.
Passing sentence, District Judge Charlotte Holland told Hodgson:
I have read in the report that you understand how serious this is.
There are indications that you say this was not for sexual gratification, but that doesn’t make any sense… the probation service will work out what’s going on here.
Judge Holland said she feels there is a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”, and handed Hodgson a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay £272 to the court.
Hodgson was also made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. After reading the requirements of the order, Judge Holland said:
You can’t be trusted to use the internet by yourself; it will all be monitored by the police.
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