A CARLISLE man recently diagnosed with a mental health condition has been put on the Sex Offender Register after he admitted charges related to downloading thousands of child abuse images.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Oliver Owen, 25, entered guilty pleas to six offences, all involving indecent images. The defendant, of Bowman Street, Carlisle, admitted the following charges:

· That on September 7, 2020, he distributed indecent Category C child images.

· That between March 17, 2019, and October 23, 2020, he downloaded 1,081 indecent child images, classed as Category A, the most serious kind.

· A like offence, involving 640 Category B child abuse images. 

· And another like offence, involving 3,958 indecent Category C child images.

· Possessing 240 prohibited images of children.

· And possessing extreme pornography which was “grossly offensive” and featured animals.

No details of the offending were revealed when Owen appeared at Carlisle Crown Court but his defence barrister Judith McCullough confirmed that he was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

“That is something which may have a bearing, both in terms of the offences and ultimately with regards to the disposal of this case,” said the barrister.

She asked that background reports are prepared before sentence, including one from an “eminent” psychologist.

Miss McCullough added: “The defendant has undertaken steps himself to access assistance and it is plain that these proceedings are taking a great toll on him.”

She said that Owen, whose family were in court to support him, understood that his sentence should include the “most supportive package available to the court.”

Recorder Ian Unsworth QC told the defendant, of Bowman Street, Carlisle, that he must cooperate with those preparing the reports, noting that it was essential that the psychologist assesses him before sentencing.

The judge noted also that it was important for the court to have “all sentencing options” open to it.

Adjourning the case until August 26, Recorder Unsworth told Owen that his name will now go on to the Sex Offender Register. How long it will remain there will depend on his ultimate sentence.

The Recorder granted the defendant bail until his sentence hearing.

The Lucy Faithful Foundation is dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse and it runs a helpline for those who fear they may be at risk of being drawn into abuse related offending or who know somebody else who may be at risk. 

The charity runs the Stop It Now! helpline, an anonymous and confidential service available to anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse, including:

* adults worried about the behaviour of other adults or children and young people

* those worried about their own sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children, including * those with concerns about their online behaviour

* friends and relatives of people arrested for sexual offending, including internet offending

* any other adult with a concern about child sexual abuse - including survivors and professionals.

The helpline number is 0808 1000 900.