A Radcliffe man who accessed “extreme pornography” involving a horse while on a suspended sentence for possessing indecent images of children could face jail. 

Lee Hilton, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of processing extreme pornography while on a suspended sentence for a previous offence.

Hilton’s sentencing hearing began at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday but was adjourned by Recorder Neil Usher to ascertain if an alternative to a custodial sentence was possible.

The court heard that while serving a suspended sentence after being convicted of possessing indecent images of children, Hilton, of Blackburn Street, accessed “extreme pornography” while using the social media application, Kik.

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Robert Elias, prosecuting, said two images were found on Hilton’s phone depicting an “extreme” pornographic material which depicted sexual acts between a woman and a horse.

He told the court that Hilton had software installed onto his phone to allow the police to monitor his internet activity as part of conditions of the suspended sentence.

He added that Hilton had been engaging in a “consensual” sexual conversation using Kik when he was sent the images by another user.

He said: “[Hilton] did not ask for this images, rather they were sent to him during the conversation by the other user.

“He identified that there were such images on his phone, he agreed that he had not searched for such images.”

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When asked by Recorder Usher why Hilton was using the app, which is known as one which is used to access unlawful content, David Morton told him that Hilton was a “very lonely man” who used social media for company.

He explained the court that Hilton had be very anxious after receiving the images, which caused him not to report them to the relevant authorities, “this is the criminality here”, he added.

Mr Morton told the court Hilton had been working with a crisis team to assist him with isolation, and that he was employed by an engineering company in Rochdale.

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Adjourning the case, Recorder Usher asked the probation service to review Hilton’s case to established whether he could avoid a prison sentence.

However he added: “You must prepare yourself for an immediate custodial sentence.”