Child porn fiend from Canning Town spared jail
Roger Vanata has been spared jailed after being convicted of possessing child porn images. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Images - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
A man who confessed to downloading child pornography, but denies being a paedophile, has today been spared jail due to his ill-health.
Detectives searched Roger Vanata’s home in Cambus Road, Canning Town, after he attempted to download the indecent images in April.
A search of the 65-year-old’s computer revealed he had accessed more than 1,500 pictures of children, but only 12 images were deemed to be in his possession.
Of those, four were in the most serious category.
Vanata appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to all 12 counts of possessing an indecent photograph of a child.
“Vanata stated that he is not a paedophile because he understands that is someone who touches children,” said Andrew Dickens, prosecuting.
“He looks at child pornography and this gives him lustful feelings even though he is not sexually active.”
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Judge Sheelagh Canavan told Vanata: “There are 1,500 or so images that you downloaded onto your computer for your sexual gratification.
“Each one of those images represents a child that was sexually abused.
“It is no excuse to say I didn’t touch them myself because without you and the market you represent there would not be the extent of sexual abuse that goes on.”
Alistar Polson, defending, asked for a jail term to be suspended and said Vanata is constantly in and out of hospital.
Judge Canavan handed Vanata an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and must pay costs of £900.
