A man who worked with the local Boys Brigades who kept over 6,000 images of children on his home computer has been jailed.
36-year-old Steven Watt, of Ashton Road, Morecambe, was arrested in January after concerns were raised about material in his possession. Officers found a significant number of images, of varying degrees of indecency, on his computer and on DVDs seized from his home.
Watt, who has worked in schools and colleges in both Lancashire and Cumbria and who was involved in the local and regional Boys Brigade, appeared at Lancaster Magistrates Court and pleased guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children.
Appearing at Preston Crown Courty yesterday, Watt was told he would serve six months in prison, with a further six months on licence. He was disqualified from working with children, was put on the sex offenders register and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was also put in place.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Mark Greaves, Lancaster police, said: “Watt had contact with children both through his employment and his recreational activities and it is disturbing that he had such a large number of indecent images of youngsters in his possession.
“He is now behind bars, but the ban on working with children and the SOPO will also ensure that controls are in place once he is released to make sure he is not a threat to our community.”