By Isle of Wight Observer
A school bus driver has pleaded guilty at IW Crown Court to the possession of a large cache of indecent images of children.
Fifty-year-old Dean Haddon, of Downsview, Sandown, admitted distributing two category C images and the possession of 51 category A images (the most serious type). The pervert also had a further 56 category B and 637 category C indecent images of a child in his possession. The images were of young children, babies and toddlers.
The police were alerted to an IP address linked to Haddon’s home, where he had been downloading the illegal images. They then seized Haddon’s laptop and phone, which were forensically examined. Haddon offered a guarded admission when police attended his address and he was subsequently arrested.
In mitigation, the court heard how Haddon had recently been diagnosed with skin cancer. Mr Mohabir, speaking on behalf of Haddon, said: “He was looking for cures for skin issues, a lot of them involved babies and nappy rash. He found himself going deeper and deeper into a foxhole. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t stop himself.”
He added that Haddon had tried to get himself involved with the child sexual abuse prevention campaign Stop it Now! but had had difficulty finding funding. Mr Mohabir concluded: “He hates himself and he knows it is wrong.”
Haddon was sentenced to 15 months in custody, suspended for two years. He was further ordered to pay £140 in costs, attend 50 rehabilitation days and have his laptop and phone destroyed. Haddon would have received an even more stringent sentence were it not for an early guilty plea.
A Southern Vectis spokeswoman for said: “Dean is no longer employed by Southern Vectis and hasn’t been for the last 18 months.”
“If you are concerned about what you are looking at online, or the online behaviour of someone you know, you can call the confidential and anonymous ‘Stop It Now’ helpline on 0808 1000 900 for advice, support and help to stop. Or visit https://get-help.stopitnow.org.uk/ to find out more.”
