Broadbridge Heath man given suspended jail sentence for possesing indecent images of children

Police say that sales assistant Simon Dickens, 41, of Harding Lane, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on February 19 and was given an 18-month suspended sentence, having previously pleaded guilty to possessing a total of 291 indecent images of children.

Sussex Police say that Dickens will be a registered sex offender for 10 years, and was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, also for 10 years.

A spokesman said the prosecution followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Sussex Police Paedophine Online Investigation Team.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police say they are supporting a leading child protection charity which aims to combat a growing demand for sexual images of children online.

The force supports UK child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation which has launched a ‘Stop It Now!’ deterrence campaign. It has set up a confidential helpline - 0808 1000 900 - and website to help people address their online behaviour and stop looking at illegal images.