A primary school caretaker caught with more than 600 indecent images of children on his computer has walked free from court, after claiming his collection was “just a morbid curiosity.”
Michael Pendry was working as a primary school caretaker who lived on the grounds of his school when he was caught in possession of 658 child abuse images.
When caught by police, Pendry admitted to looking at the images and sharing them with paedophiles online for a number of years.
Judge Huw Rees decided not to award Pendry with a custodial term, but has instead sentenced him to three years community service.
Speaking about his decision, Judge Huw said:
“I have to do what is best to protect children from your filthy interest.
“Anyone should know my sentences are meant to be constructive in order to try to cure you of your perversion and in order to try to protect children whose images are so readily available on the internet.
“This sentence means three years of being subject to my order for you to work at trying to rid yourself of your interest in such filth.”
According to Wales Online, Pendry reportedly told officers during his arrest:
“There is nothing involving anybody at the school,” and that he did not know any of the children in the images personally.
He later added:
“I have looked at things on the internet. I have never hurt or touched a child. I have no inclinations towards children really. I got dragged into it. God knows how. I am sorry for what I have done.”
Pendry must now complete a sex offenders treatment programme during the time of his three year community order, and will be subject to a sex offenders prevention order for five years.
