A former St Dogmaels building worker has been jailed for possessing what was said to be “horrific” images of child abuse.
Mark Stoneman, aged 34, of Rhoose, near Cardiff, and formerly of Union Terrace in St Dogmaels, asked a judge at Newport Crown Court to spare him a jail sentence in favour of treatment in the community.
But Judge William Gaskell said “That is an approach not only not attractive but not likely.” He jailed him for 16 months.
Newport Crown Court heard how Stoneman was tracked down as part of Operation Notarise, a UK wide police incentive which targeted users of peer to peer websites trading in child pornography.
A police check revealed 235 photographs and 89 movies of children being abused. Of these 38 photos and 54 movies were ‘Category A’ the worst and highest classification.
In addition to the 16-month jail term Stoneman was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and also to have his internet and computer use monitored upon release and to pay a £100 surcharge.
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