Newcastle paedophile pensioner found with vile indecent images during police home visit

A paedophile was found in possession of vile indecent images when police conducted a routine check up at his Newcastle home.

Horrific child abuse images and footage was found on Lawrence Johnson's mobile phone when police went to his West Denton home. The 67-year-old pervert was the subject of a sexual harm prevention (SHPO) order after being convicted in 2017 for attempting to meet a child following grooming and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

This week, Johnson, of Allenheads, West Denton, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing a charge of possession of indecent images. He pleaded guilty to the offence.

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The court heard that due to Johnson being a registered sex offender, police went to his house on December 7 2022 to conduct a home review. As part of his SHPO, Johnson is required to hand over any device capable of accessing the internet to police.

Paul Coulson, prosecuting, said: "The house didn't have Wi-Fi, the defendant did, however, give [the officers] a mobile phone with access to Talk Talk and 4g internet. He handed it over and asked how to delete pictures."

The officers found that Johnson had been using social media, including WhatsApp, which showed he had been messaging around 45 adult women who had sent him pictures of themselves and requesting money. Mr Coulson continued: "[Johnson] would request them to perform sexual acts by writing on a notepad and showing it to them."

When officers looked through his phone, they found his gallery had been hidden, but when they searched further, they discovered indecent images of children. A total of five category A images were found, as well as a category A video. Johnson was then arrested.

Kashif Khan, defending, told the court it was Johnson's first breach of the order. He said: "He got a new phone and he hands that phone over to the police. It is hardly the actions of someone trying to conceal matters. He is distressed as to how these images came about."

Due to the severity of the offence, magistrates transferred the case to Newcastle Crown Court. Johnson will appear at that court on May 16. He was given unconditional bail.