An Aylesbury man who downloaded “sickening” child sexual images has avoided going to jail.

Lee Joseph, 31, formerly of Eastern Street in Aylesbury, was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years after he was found guilty of three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

Joseph had denied the charges but a jury found him guilty on June 25 following a two-day trial.

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At Amersham Law Courts on September 9, Joseph was handed a suspended sentence and was also added to the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

Between July 26, 2018 and August 8, 2018, Joseph downloaded several inappropriate images onto his phone. When police conducted a download on the device, they discovered 15 pictures relating to a sexual interest in children.

During his trial, Joseph had claimed that someone else had downloaded the images, but the jury saw through his lie when they convicted him.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable James Lacey of Aylesbury CID said: “The device seized from Lee Joseph was found to contain vile and sickening images of very young children being sexually abused – some of which were in Category A, meaning they contain penetrative sexual activity with children.

“Joseph lied throughout his police interviews, and during his trial even continued to lie to the jury about his sexual interest in children, and the internet searches he made around this.

“I am particularly satisfied he has now been placed on the sex offenders’ register, and is subject to a lengthy court order aimed at preventing further offending of this nature.

“I hope Joseph engages with the rehabilitation programme imposed by the court, and that it prevents him from engaging in this disgusting activity in the future.

“Downloading indecent child images is far from a victimless crime. In order for such images to be created, real children have been subjected to harrowing abuse at the hands of adults.

“While people continue to search for, and look at such images, there will be an ongoing demand for their creation, which puts vulnerable children at increased risk.

“For these reasons, Thames Valley Police will never tolerate people being involved in these images. We will always act on any intelligence about people being in possession of these materials, and place offenders in front of the court.”

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