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Ramsgate paedophile with horrific child abuse videos avoids jail

A paedophile hoarding horrific videos of young children being sexually abused has avoided jail.

Christopher Parish was caught with 266 Category A images - the worst kind - after police raided his Ramsgate home.

Christopher Parish outside Canterbury Crown Court
Christopher Parish outside Canterbury Crown Court

The 34-year-old’s IP address was traced to his house in Coleman Crescent, after an international surveillance agency picked up suspicious behaviour.

Judge Rupert Lowe branded Parish’s sordid library “the most disgusting activity” at Canterbury Crown Court.

“You form part of a market which people feed when they decide [to do these acts]," he said.

“It is the most disgusting activity and people who do what you do encourage it."

Parish interrupted judge Lowe twice during the hearing on Tuesday, prompting him to say to his lawyer: “Your client has a lot to say for himself doesn't he.”

Parish leaving the court on Tuesday, having avoided a prison sentence
Parish leaving the court on Tuesday, having avoided a prison sentence

The sex offender's home was raided in June 2019 when his laptop was seized.

Unemployed Parish denied his vile actions but then pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images before trial.

His collection also included 107 Category B and 66 Category C images - a significant number were videos - prosecutors explained.

“Some of the material was deleted and inaccessible but some remained on the computer,” prosecutor Nicholas Jones explained.

“There was also evidence found of web searches for incest and bestiality.”

Parish turned to watching children being abused after his marriage broke down around the same time his business collapsed, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Niall Doherty said in mitigation.

Judge Lowe said with probation willing to help Parish and the offence being his first, he could impose a community order.

“If I see you again you will find it’s a very different result,” he said.

He ordered Parish to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 35 rehabilitation requirement sessions, to undertake the Horizon accredited programme, a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements.

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