Marchwood man Damian Good given suspended jail sentence over nearly 4,000 indecent images of children

A MARCHWOOD engineer whose job involved visiting schools admitted possessing almost 4,000 indecent images of children.

A police raid on 56-year-old Damian Good’s home in Melick Close also uncovered online searches for pre-teens being raped, Southampton Crown Court heard

Prosecutor Andrew Houston said that when police explained why they were executing a warrant on 7th February last year, Good told them: “Yeah, that’ll be me”.

He was found to have 92 category A images – the most severe – as well as 109 category B and 3,732 category C.

The family computer was examined and in total just under 4,000 indecent images were discovered of girls and boys aged between eight and 13.

The court heard Good was currently unemployed after resigning from his council job as a structural engineer, as part of his work involved going into schools.

Sentencing him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge Christopher Parker KC said: “These images showed children aged eight to 13, consistent with your searches for pre-teens being raped, for your gratification.

“Regardless of how you fell into this, it became deliberate on your part and you were searching for these photos.”

The judge added: “In normal circumstances, had you not pleaded guilty you could have expected to go to prison immediately.

“I am satisfied you are fully aware of the enormity of what you have done.”

Mr Houston told the court Good had uploaded images to a search engine to help him find similar material.

In interview with the police, he gave “frank” answers, admitting to watching adult pornography after “one click led to another”.

He told officers he had been viewing the images for “a couple of years, maybe longer” and had been aroused by looking at the images.

Defending, Jamie Gammon told the court: “Mr Good has been very frank and open with the investigating officers and co-operated fully.

“He pleaded guilty in the magistrates court [and] is aware of the reason why the offence is so unacceptable.

“This kind of offending is life-changing – it has had a dramatic effect already.”

Mr Gammon added his client was aware he was at risk of going in to custody but wanted the opportunity to change.

Good pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent image of a child, which took place between and October and December 2021.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Good must pay costs of £520, carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and undergo rehabilitation activity with the probation service.

The judge also imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order which means Good must notify the police of his address and he is limited to the number of internet-enabled devices he has access to.