Skegness man who downloaded thousands of images of animal and child pornography to face sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court

A man who downloaded thousands of images of extreme animal and child pornography faces a wait to discover his fate.

Thirty-eight-year-old Luke Anthony James will face justice at Lincoln Crown Court after magistrates decided their sentencing powers were not strong enough for the defendant’s crimes.

Images and videos featuring children under three and humans performing sexual acts with dogs and horses were among those acquired by James, of Beacon Way, Skegness.

Prosecutor Turan Sunat told Boston magistrates these illegal downloads were found on a phone and hard drive belonging the defendant after an ‘intelligence-led search’ led to his address.

Over a nine-year period between 2015 and 2024 James had downloaded 3,191 Category A - which includes penetration - images and videos involving minors.

He had also acquired 1,063 Category B and 1,571 Category C images and videos.

Category B involves non-penetrative sex acts and Category C covers nudity.

James had also downloaded 53 stills and videos of people involved in penetrative and oral sexual acts with dogs and horses.

“In interview he admitted to a sexual interest in children and admitted masturbating to these images,” Mr Sunat said during the hearing yesterday (Wednesday, April 9).

The prosecution also read out examples of the images and stills found in James’ collection, and in one case described a young girl as having a ‘facial expression of pain’.

James had indicated guilty pleas to these four charges at a previous hearing.

Defending himself, James asked to continue to receive mental health support.

“I want to say I’m really sorry for what I’ve done and acknowledge everything I’ve contributed to,” he added.

“I’m making steps through rehab and progress with the mental health community team.

“I want to do better for myself and to stop this.”

James was handed a sexual harm prevention order for a minimum of five years, with the full timescale to be determined at sentencing.

Among the stipulations he must not use a computer or smartphone unless it can be monitored, not possess a computer or phone unless it can show usage history, not use a cloud or storage without providing details and not use social media or emails unless using his own name.

He must also allow Public Protection Unit staff access to his home to carry out checks.

James will appear at Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be confirmed.

“Your offences are so severe they need a greater punishment than we can give,” chair of the bench Fiona Randall said.