Pervert caught with indecent images of children avoids jail after Sheffield court case

Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 12 how Scott Burgin, aged 50, of Meadow Close, Dalton, Rotherham, admitted three counts of making indecent images including category A, B and C images, with category A being the most serious.

Andrew Bailey, prosecuting the case, said Burgin was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children after police conducted a search at his home in April, 2019, for devices capable of holding such images.

Burgin claimed to police that an indecent image had popped up by accident on one of his electronic devices and he also claimed he had been sent indecent images from a chat group which he had not requested and that such images made him feel sick.

But Burgin, who has no relevant previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children including over 300 indecent images.

Clarkson Baptiste, defending, said Burgin has expressed remorse and has shown an awareness of the impact of this kind of offending and a willingness to engage with those who can help him.

Judge Graham Reeds QC told Burgin that downloading and possessing such images feeds a market which leads to the abuse of the most vulnerable children.

He sentenced Burgin to 10 months of custody suspended for two years with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Burgin was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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