A MAN was caught sharing sexual images of children as young as six years old and photographs of women having sex with dogs and horses, a court heard.

Richy Dean Pursey, 29, was found by police at his 80-year-old father's home after tracing his web activity of sharing indecent images on an online forum. 

Officers traced his IP address to Medway Road, Ferndown, where Pursey was found with three devices including an external hard drive, a phone and a computer tower.

Prosecuting, Amber Athill, told Bournemouth Crown Court on November 8 that photographs included children as young as six being abused and pornographic photographs of women with animals. 

After visiting his home on May 29, 2021, officers found that Pursey had shared the images online and tried to conceal them in hidden files. 

Pursey pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornography.

Mitigating, Kevin Hill, said Pursey suffers from serious mental health issues and was living with his father before his death.

Mr Hill added that the defendant suffered childhood trauma from abuse and had no assets as a result of not being fit to work.

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Judge Robert Pawson said he would not describe the images in detail but that the people involved would be harmed mentally for life.

He added: “If you think you are not touching these people yourself so you are not doing harm, that is a very incorrect view because people like you, choosing to watch these children places the demand for people to create them.

“You are indirectly responsible for the sexual abuse of children as young as six. Sexual activity by adults on children.”

Judge Pawson said Pursey is 'not unintelligent’ and although the defendant said he had no explanation for his behaviour, ‘it is blindly obvious it was for his own sexual gratification’.

Judge Pawson sentenced Pursey to 12 months imprisonment, however, he suspended this for two years.

He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and must complete 40 rehabilitation activity days.