Wakefield paedophile blamed cocaine for downloading sickening abuse images
Police alerted over Snapchat activity
A pervert who downloaded hundreds of child-abuse images and videos said his spiralling cocaine use was to blame.
Scott Guy also claimed trauma from his own childhood had been a factor.
The 32-year-old was handed a community order at Leeds Crown Court after it was heard he had taken steps to address his offending.
Prosecutor Rachel Webster said West Yorkshire Police received information in December 2023 that an indecent image had been uploaded to Snapchat.
Although a private internet browser was used, an email and phone number was found tying the account to Guy.
On February 10 last year, officers went to his home address and arrested him, seizing three internet devices.
They found 208 images and videos, including 82 in Category A - the most serious showing the rape of children.
No evidence was found that he had been sharing images with other paedophiles online.
Guy, of Thornhill Street, Wakefield, admitted three counts of making indecent images. He has no previous convictions.
He said that he suffered “lasting trauma” as a child and suffered from depression, isolation and low self esteem.
He said that cocaine had been a “significant contributor”. Guy said he had since tried to rehabilitate himself.
Judge Mushtaq Khokhar acknowledged Guy’s attempts to seek help.
He gave him an 18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation days to complete with probation.
He was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to curb his internet use, and put on the sex offender register for five years.