A Ripon man has been sentenced after admitting making indecent photographs of children.

Craig Brigantes, 54, of Lickley Street, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (September 25) for a sentencing hearing, where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Brigantes pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children at a previous hearing.

The prosecution told the court that the 54-year-old made five category A images — which is the most serious kind — on April 20, 2017.

He also made four category B images between April 19, 2017, and August 14, 2024. The court heard that Brigantes also made 130 category C images between April 19, 2017, and October 9, 2022.

Police acted on information to arrest Brigantes and seized his computer, the court heard.

Brian Nuttney, defending, said the 54-year-old had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was a man with no previous convictions.

Mr Nuttney said Brigantes had come across some of the images while researching a book. He added that he had used Google search and was “confused” as to how the images could have been on his computer.

The defence added that other images had come from a pornography download, which Brigantes deleted immediately.

Mr Nuttney said that the defendant accepted responsibility for his actions and was remorseful.

He said:

A district judge sentenced Brigantes to an 18-month community order, which included 25 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also fined £286 and ordered to pay a £114 victims’ surcharge.

The judge imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order on Brigantes. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register.