Nuneaton man sentenced to 12 months for indecent images of children

The 24-year-old 'handled, produced, and distributed indecent images of children.'

A man from Ansley Common has been has been sentenced to a year in prison for offences related to indecent images of children.

Morgan Payne, 24 years old, is also required to pay a victim’s surcharge of £149 and will remain on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years.

Payne was arrested at his home on 30 November 2021, following four separate referrals relating to accounts associated with him on a popular temporary photo-sharing social media service.

Following a search of his bedroom, two mobile phones and a laptop were recovered.

Initial triage of the phone identified three category A images in a social media app.

Detective Sergeant Moorman said “Mr Payne handled, produced, and distributed indecent images of children, but tried to present himself in interview as a victim of circumstance.

“This kind of activity is not accidental; it is a choice, and a poor choice at that.

“We hope that 12 months will give Mr Payne sufficient time to properly consider the ramifications of his actions and the harms he has perpetuated.”

Across the devices, a total of 107 Category A, 96 Category B, and 129 Category C images were discovered.

When Payne was confronted by the police he said he wasn’t surprised images were found but he was surprised by the amount.

He was sentenced to 12 months in total for taking indecent images of a child, and for making indecent images of a child.

An explanation of the categories for indecent images can be found on the Crown Prosecution Service’s website: https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/indecent-and-prohibited-images-children