Gosport man who pleaded guilty to having almost 80 indecent images of children learns sentencing date

A man who pleaded guilty to owning indecent images of children - and extreme images of a ‘dead or alive’ animal - will be sentenced later this month.

Leslie McMahon, 69 from Kingston Road, Gosport, pleaded guilty in March this year to four counts of possessing indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, and one count of extreme pornographic images portraying an act of intercourse with a dead or alive animal.

During a previous hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, it was tallied up to around 80 indecent images of children, and more than 200 images depicting a ‘dead or alive’ animal, as per the charges.

Appearing in court this morning (Wednesday, July 1), McMahon was due to be sentenced, but will now have to wait a few more weeks to learn his fate.

Kevin Lucie, prosecuting, said: “There are aggravating features to this case, those being the very young children who are depicted in moving images. There is a lot of extreme pornography, but it has to be dealt with in its totality.

“Looking at this case, the sentence may exceed your powers here in the magistrates’ court. My submission would be for this matter to be dealt with in the crown court.”

Representing McMahon, solicitor Mohammed Chaudhry said: “Your colleagues had been minded to keep all options open, including commital for sentence.

“I am asking wheher you can continue - if not, the matter should proceed to crown court.”

Magistrates ruled that McMahon’s sentencing would be committed to Portsmouth Crown Court, with a daet set for Friday, July 24.