Leeds paedophile spared jail despite being caught with horrifying abuse images

A paedophile who sent a teenage girl explicit photos has been spared immediate jail despite being caught with horrifying abuse images.

Joseph Larkin, 29, of no fixed abode, was handed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, at Leeds Crown Court today (August 21).

The court heard Larkin quickly sexualised conversations with the teenager and sent her explicit photographs.

A warrant executed at his then home in July 2020 uncovered 78 indecent files.

He had 54 Category A images, including 43 videos; 22 Category B images, including 17 videos; and two Category C images, one of which was moving.

Sentencing him, Judge Robin Mairs said: "Those are real children who suffered real harm to feed the perverted sexual desires of people like you."

Larkin was sentenced for one offence of engaging in sexual communication with a child and two offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said Larkin was convicted after trial of all three sexual-communication offences.

Larkin, who had no previous convictions, appeared at the hearing by video link from HMP Leeds in Armley.

As well as the suspended sentence, Larkin was ordered to attend 43 sessions of an accredited sexual-offending prevention programme, complete 55 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for 10 years.

Judge Robin Mairs told him: "You have had a short spell in custody, which shows you what life on the sex offenders wing is like.

“If you breach the terms of the order I make, you will be back before me and I will immediately send you back to Armley."