Daniel Garton

Daniel Garton, a 45-year-old man from Marske in East Cleveland, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for possessing a large number of indecent images and videos of children. The court heard that Garton had downloaded the material between May and August 2023 after signing up for an online messaging service, where he was invited into group chats that shared such content.

Police were alerted to Garton's online activities and arrested him at his home on Longbeck Road. Officers seized three devices, but the images were recovered from the deleted folder on his mobile phone. In total, Garton possessed 43 Category A images and videos—the most serious category, including depictions of a child being raped—68 Category B images and videos, and 115 Category C images. During his police interview, Garton admitted to possessing the material, stating that he had viewed it out of intrigue.

Kathryn Wetherley, prosecuting, outlined the recovery of the images during the hearing. Sophie Johnstone, mitigating, explained that Garton had become lonely following the breakdown of his relationship and had turned to social media for contact. She noted that he accepted responsibility for not leaving the group chats and continuing to view the images, expressing deep remorse and shame.

Recorder Kama Mella KC addressed Garton directly, stating: "These were choices by you for your own reasons and gratification to watch images of children being raped and you have to accept that because that was your behaviour." The judge imposed a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, along with 30 days of rehabilitation activity, 100 hours of unpaid work, and participation in an alcohol treatment programme. Garton was also required to sign the sex offenders' register for ten years and was made subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

The case was reported by Graeme Hetherington, Crime & Court Reporter for The Northern Echo, highlighting the court's response to Garton's actions in downloading child abuse material.