Possessing images of a child undertaking sexual acts has a starting sentence of 26 weeks, says obscenity lawyer
The BBC presenter accused of paying a 17-year-old for explicit photographs could face a six-month prison sentence if they are found guilty of a criminal offence, according to a leading obscenity lawyer.
Myles Jackman, who has represented individuals accused of similar crimes, said possessing images of a child undertaking sexual acts had a starting sentence of 26 weeks in prison. The sentence could increase substantially if they are found to have shared those images.
Jackman said: “Any child under 18 that takes a photo of themselves is manufacturing child pornography, they are in possession of it, and they have distributed it. Anyone soliciting photographs from someone under 18 has committed a serious raft of offences.”
Although the age of consent for sexual activity in England and Wales is 16 years old, the law on indecent images treats all under-18s as children, he said: “The Protection of Children Act 1978 prohibits any production, possession, or distribution of images of a sexual nature of children – and that means under the age of 18.
