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Paedophile With 137,000 Pictures Of Children Spared Jail So He Can Start A Family

Paedophile With 137,000 Pictures Of Children Spared Jail So He Can Start A Family

He was due to face five years in prison.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

I think we're all in the same boat when it comes to our opinions on the treatment of paedophiles - throw them in a cell, chuck away the key.

For some reason, though, this guy, who was caught with 137,000 indecent pictures and 4,336 videos of children, has been spared jail to allow him to start a family. What a truly dreadful idea.

Richard Arrowsmith was due to face up to five years in prison - which is about 30 years too few - but got off with a suspended sentence because he wants to be a father. Personally, I'm of the group of people who think letting a paedophile have a kid is a bit stupid.

Credit: PA

Back in February, Arrowsmith was arrested after police were informed that his computer was littered with disgusting images that were downloaded on his Sky account.

"You are 41-years-old, with no previous convictions and you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity," Recorder Martin Butterworth said while sentencing Arrowsmith at Derby Crown Court to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

"There are three charges against you in relation to the possession of indecent images of children," Butterworth continued.

"I am taking into consideration your previous good character. You have a wife who supports you, a steady employment and your hopes to start a family in the near future."

Now, Arrowsmith is not allowed to work with children, and he was ordered to pay £250 costs and carry out 160 hours of unpaid work. He has also had to sign the sexual offenders register.

He'd been viewing and downloading the pictures and videos for 'four years or so'.

Featured image credit: PA

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