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.
You may also want to watch:
“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.”
Most Read
- 1 Woman arrested in Custom House fatal stabbing and shooting investigation
- 2 Guilty: 'Depraved' rapist who targeted and robbed lone women at night
- 3 Man hit by car in alleged Canning Town 'fight' dies from injuries
- 4 Fly-tippers dump loft insulation, building waste and sink on Wanstead Flats
- 5 Leyton Orient defender Josh Coulson set to depart
- 6 Teenagers killed in London in 2021 so far nears 2020 total
- 7 12 countries announced on travel green list from May 17
- 8 Elections: London mayor and Assembly member, East Ham cllr and referendum
- 9 Call for 'zero tolerance' crackdown on Newham gangs
- 10 Election 2021: Live updates for GLA, by-election and referendum
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.
