Suspended sentence for Newbury paedophile Derek Davidson

A PAEDOPHILE who hoarded child sex images has been given a suspended sentence.

Derek Davidson appeared for sentencing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 23.

At a previous hearing the 62-year-old, of Charlotttown, Newbury, admitted having 17 indecent images of children in category A – the most serious kind involving child rape, bestiality or torture.

Next, he admitted having 14 indecent images of children in Category B.

Finally, Davidson admitted having 403 indecent images of children in Category C.

All the offences were committed in Newbury between January 31, 2021, and October 3, 2022.

Davidson, who was legally represented by Nathaniel Ikeazor, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

District judge Samuel Goozee said a custodial sentence, albeit suspended, was necessary because many of the images were of the most serious nature and because Davidson’s online history proved he had actively sought out paedophilic material.

He added that he had been able to suspend it because of Davidson previous good character and because he had been convinced there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in Davidson’s case.

In addition, Davidson was ordered to pay £85 costs plus a statutory vic tim services surcharge of £187.

Finally, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register.