A CRIMINOLOGY graduate who was aiming for a career in the police has been convicted of child pornography offences.
Lincoln University graduate Gordon Newman (21) was found to have nearly 300 indecent images of children in his possession when officers searched his March home.
He was also found to have distributed pictures on the internet in what his defence ba
rrister described as a "naïve and misguided enterprise".
Newman, who pleaded guilty to 11 child pornography charges, escaped jail after Judge Anthony Bate said: "The most effective way of dealing with you is a structured long term intervention programme."
He added: "Your family have been loyal and stood by you despite the shame you have brought upon their name."
Defending, Mark Kelly admitted that Newman's "ambitions have been constrained".
Mr Kelly added: "He had ironically intended to join the police force. Clearly that path is no longer available to him. His pleas will have an impact on him for the rest of his life."
Cambridge Crown Court heard how police had searched Newman's home in Ellingham Avenue on August 30 2007.
They found indecent images of children on a computer as well as further images on a laptop.
He had been tracked down after police investigating child pornography cases in Florida, USA and Kent had uncovered internet communications Newman had with other suspected offenders.
Newman later admitted eight counts of making indecent photos of children, two counts of possessing indecent photos of children and one count of distributing indecent photos of children.
Sentencing Newman to a six month prison sentence suspended for two years, as well as a two year supervision order, Judge Bate said: "This sentence will help to protect the public much more than sending you to prison."
Newman will also be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and be disqualified from working with children.
Judge Bate added: "Your employment options are limited in the interests of the public. I hope this court never sees you again."
