Computer security consultant spared prison over indecent images of children

Malcolm McKeating, 67, was found guilty at York Crown Court of making indecent images of children, and sentenced on Friday to four months in prison, suspended for two years.

McKeating, from Harrogate, was arrested in February 2016 on suspicion of possession of indecent material, with images dated between May 2007 and February 2016. He was released on bail, and police seized some of his computer equipment.

Much of the computer hardware seized by North Yorkshire Police was encrypted, requiring considerable time and expertise to examine it, and police said some files and other information had been deleted, which meant recovery was only possible using specialist forensic software.

In interview, the self-employed computer security consultant claimed the machines must have been remotely accessed or subjected to a virus, but officers found no evidence to support this.

Judge Paul Worsley QC also imposed a seven years Sexual Harm Prevention Order on McKeating, and told him he was satisfied McKeating had offended for a number of years, telling him "you are clearly in denial and have clearly not been able to admit it to your wife and family".

Detective Constable Vincent Formosa said: "Every indecent photograph is a result of a child suffering from abuse. A child is victimised not only when they are abused, but also every time that image is viewed.

"The case was technically complex, involving sophisticated encryption techniques and I must applaud the efforts of North Yorkshire Police’s forensic investigators who put in months of work in unravelling the complex web of evidence. This case sends a clear message that you can’t hide anonymously behind a screen - those who access these sickening images will be traced and prosecuted."

McKeating must also pay prosecution costs and register as a sex offender.

*Suspicious online activity can be reported to police on 101 or Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP), at ceop.police.uk