An ashamed paedophile attempted suicide after accessing vile images of children online.
David Ian Bates, 59, was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol after trying to end his life – later telling staff that he became suicidal following his viewing of vile images.
He was discharged from hospital and taken to Sandlewood Court, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust facility in Swindon, where he disclosed the same information.
Police attended Bates’ home address in Manor Close, Wroughton, and seized four electronic devices. Despite admitting his perverted habits online and providing officers with the passcodes, an examination of the devices uncovered five downloaded images.
One image was described as being in category A (involving penetrative sexual activity), three were in category B (non-penetrative sexual activity) and one other was described as category C (indecent images not falling within categories A or B).
In a custody interview, he told officers that he had attempted to take his own life as a result of the “stress” viewing these images has caused him. He disclosed that he was talking to other adults in chat rooms, and somehow, some images were downloaded. He accepted full responsibility.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (28 June), Bates pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing incident photographs of youngsters.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said the defendant has a single previous conviction for the possessing incident of children and possession of prohibited images dating back to 2012.
Gordon Hotson, defending, asked the court to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence to be compiled. The magistrates agreed and Bates will return for sentence on 26 July.
He was told to register as a sex offender at Gablecross Police Station within 72 hours.
