Former RAF Serviceman Jailed For Child Sex Offences
A former RAF air traffic controller has been jailed for 27 months after being exposed as a paedophile by a group of self-styled vigilantes.
Andrew Ralph Helman, 52, pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including the possession of 684 indecent photographs of children, and three counts of making and distributing indecent images, the Lancashire Evening News has reported.
Police were alerted by the so-called 'paedophile hunters'.
Helman was arrested in February 2015 after the group claimed that he had attempted to meet someone who he believed to be a 13-year-old schoolgirl.
The ex-serviceman was found to be using an email address under the name of "Kinkerbell". Prosecutor Peter Barr said of the trial:
"Various computers and hard drives were seized. Those were subsequently found to contain the images which have led to these proceedings."
Mr. Helman reportedly showed no visible reaction to Judge Heather Lloyd’s statement:
"It can’t be said you are of hitherto exemplary character because until you were stopped by police for about nine years you had been seeking out indecent images of children being abused."
"All the images include moving images which are an aggravating feature. All were spread over a large number of devices.
"Your offending came to light when you were suspected of having attempted to groom a child online and whilst it appears it was someone from a vigilante group, the case could not proceed because that group would not co-operate.
"You deny you are sexually attracted to children. With respect that is plainly untrue."
Whilst Helman himself gave no comment, his defence lawyer said:
"He does show an element of remorse, though I make the concession it's a bit late in the day."
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