'Uncurable' paedophile set free by British judge

A paedophile was today freed from court despite an Old Bailey judge being told he could not be cured.

Judge Simon Coltart agreed that Graeme McLeod, 48, represented a risk to children, but released him and two other men involved in a paedophile ring.

He sentenced the men to community rehabilitation orders after they pleaded guilty to more than 100 charges relating to possession and distribution of child pornography.

The judge told the men: ‘‘Each one of you represents a risk to children resulting from your interest in children.

‘‘I have to consider how best this risk can be managed and reduced. Guidelines for prison sentences for this type of offence are usually in months, rather than years.

‘‘As far as custody is concerned, it is unlikely from the reports I have seen that anything positive will be done to reduce the risk.

‘‘I have therefore decided you will have community rehabilitation orders with the specific condition you participate in a sex offenders’ programme.

‘‘The public interest will be better served by you receiving further help and treatment. That is why I am taking an exceptional course.’’

A letter written by McLeod and presented to court by police said: ‘‘There has been a considerable amount of discussion recently about rehabilitating, even curing, paedophiles.

‘‘I do not believe this is possible. I am a paedophile.’’

The court was told the men were ringleaders of an 18-strong ring which swopped magazines, photographs and videos of boys as young as nine.

McLeod, of Guisborough, Cleveland, was ordered to serve 21 months under supervision, David Griffiths, 47, from Chester, was given an 18 months order, and Geoffrey Foulds, 63, from Newark, Notts, was given a two year order.

They pleaded guilty to 29 offences between them and more than a hundred offences were taken into consideration.

The arrests followed a 20 month investigation by Hertfordshire Police.

Later, Det Insp Keith Tilley said: ‘‘Men like this represent a real risk to children as they create a demand for this kind of material.

‘‘What must also be remembered is that all the images seized are of individual children being subjected to some form of abuse.

‘‘The men convicted today must shoulder some responsibility for that as well.’’

A spokeswoman for the NSPCC said: ‘‘This sentencing does not in any way reflect the severity of the crime. Behind every image is an abused and traumatised child.’’