Royal Navy lieutenant who collected thousands of child abuse images is spared jail
ARoyal Navy lieutenant who collected thousands of child abuse images for almost a decade has been spared jail, after the court heard he was an "honourable and disciplined man".
James Smith, 35, was caught with more than 3,000 images of children as young as two years old, including 36 of the most serious Category A images and four Category A videos.
He also chatted on an internet channel hosted by two people who had been arrested on suspicion of child sex offences, Truro Crown Court heard.
Police stormed his home in Truro, Cornwall, in July last year and seized his phone and laptop after being tipped off by colleagues in Western Australia who were working on an international child abuse investigation.
Smith said he was relieved that officers had intervened so he could get help. He admitted three charges of making indecent images of children.
But he was spared jail and instead handed an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
He must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement lasting 30 days and was made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Nicholas Wragg, the barrister defending Smith, said his career in the Navy was "in serious jeopardy" and he and his family have "suffered".
Mr Wragg added: "He is a high performer, extremely diligent and has addressed his behaviour with one to one sessions he has funded privately.
"He has an incredibly supportive family and is an honourable and disciplined man. There is no doubt he would abide by any order."
Sentencing Smith, Judge Simon Carr said he had an "entrenched sexual interest in children" which he "doubted will disappear".
He said: "I accept you have sought treatment and showed remorse but you need to be under no illusions that as we sit here tens of hundreds of children are being raped for the entertainment of people like you.
"A significant number of children are raped for internet material and you are part of this monster.
"On the other hand you have had a successful career in the Royal Navy and the fact you have tried to address your problem allows me to suspend what would otherwise by an immediate custodial sentence."
