Possession of child pornography 'not a faceless crime', says judge

Two-year sentence suspended 'reluctantly', with mitigating factors including 10-year delay in proceedings because of backlog in such cases

The man was handed a two-year sentence but the sentence was fully suspended 'reluctantly'.  File picture: iStock

Possession of child pornography is "not a faceless crime" and is actually "amplified" because the defenceless, unknown children being exploited are somewhere they can not be helped, a sentencing judge told the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee, Co Kerry.

Simon Bolt, aged 64, of Hollymount, Rathmore, Co. Kerry, was before the court after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography electronically stored in his home on a date unknown between March 7, 2011,  and March 6, 2013.