Pervert avoids jail to have treatment
A pervert found with over 12,300 indecent images of children has avoided jail because a judge said a prison term would wreck the treatment which could stop him offending.
Patrick Skerritt's obsession was discovered by a 17-year-old youth who he had invited back to his home.
Mr Paul Spratt, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "The defendant took greater interest than was appropriate in the young man, buying him presents."
On January 27 last year the horrified teenager stumbled on the hoard of child porn after being left alone in the living room for a short time during a visit to the home of 60-year-old Skerritt, the court heard.
Mr Spratt explained: "The computer had been left on and displayed a number of provocative, sexualised images of an unclothed young man aged 12.
"The young man went to a police station that night to explain what he had seen.
"As a result of this the home of defendant was visited by officers who took away the computer and hard drive."
They discovered 12,350 still and moving indecent images of children and young people – almost 1,400 of which were from the three worst categories of this type of material, the court was told.
Mr Spratt concluded: "Any user of the computer could easily have found them, as was proved by the 17-year-old visitor."
Skerritt, formerly of Bache Street, West Bromwich but now living in Hagley Road, Edgbaston admitted 18 charges of indecent images.
He had no previous convictions.
He was given a community order under supervision during which he will be kept under supervision and only allowed to live where directed by the authorities for three years.
He must also complete the Community Sex Offender Programme.
Judge Michael Dudley told him: "In many ways you deserve to go to prison.
"But it would not be for long enough to make any sense because you would not be able to complete this lengthy programme that is often successful.
"My concern is to pass a sentence that gives the public the best protection I can to guard against any repetition of this offending.
"Possession of images such as these is a serious offence because, in their making, young children are seriously abused in a way that will undoubtedly affect their lives and those who access the material ensure that more children are abused in the same way."
Skerritt was also made the subject of a Sex Offenders Protection Order for 10 years and put on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.
