Pensioner admits indecency charges at Shrewsbury toilets

Patrick Edward Blackman, of Coedway, on the Shropshire border with Mid Wales, was captured on CCTV buying the underwear and entering and leaving toilets in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre.

Blackman pleaded guilty to three charges of distributing indecent images of children, offences that took place in January, February and March last year.

Judge Peter Barrie ordered that Blackman undertake a sexual offences programme and rehabilitation activities during a three-year community order. He was also ordered to pay £535 costs and a £60 victim impact charge.

Judge Barrie told Shrewsbury Crown Court that anyone could have seen the photographs and told Blackman that there was an element of voyeurism to the offences.

Mr Tariq Shakoor prosecuting, said in all three cases children's underwear, indecent images of children and obscene notes were left in public toilets.

The incidents on January 7 and February 9 took place in the Shrewsbury Market Hall toilets while that on March 8 took place at the Pride Hill Shopping Centre toilets.

On one occasion the items were found by a member of the public, on another by a cleaner.

Mr Shakoor said that in March Blackman was seen on CCTV entering and leaving the toilets and also going into a shop and purchasing children's underwear.

When his home was searched by police similar underwear was found and there were indecent images on his computer.

Mr Andrew Holland, for Blackman, said his client, who had no previous offences, had been very worried and frightened about what was going to happen to him. He was a carer for his wife and had suffered ill health himself, Mr Holland said.