A paedophile who was repeatedly stabbed by jihadis in the London Bridge terror attack has walked free after a court heard how the atrocity helped him overcome his perversion.
Adam Harris, 38, was severely injured in the incident that left eight people dead and 48 injured on June 3 last year.
Five months before he had been caught with over 1,000 still images and more than 100 videos of children on his phone and computer, Blackfriars Crown Court heard.
Adam Harris (pictured), a victim of the London Bridge terror attack, was given a suspended sentence after admitting to three counts of making indecent images of children
His defence lawyer, Judith Benson, told the judge how the criminal had received counselling after the the terror attack which helped him to address his sick behaviour.
Ms Benson had asked for a reporting restriction to be made, as she said press reports had worsened Harris’ PTSD and caused great distress to his mother, who he now lived with in Northumberland.
Judge Deva Pillay refused the application.
Ms Benson said: ‘In June 2017 he began to take steps to address the behaviour that lead to this, in short he was abused as a child.
‘He began to receive counselling for the PTSD from being stabbed during the London bridge attacks.
‘He has been left with extreme anxiety, depression and as a result of that was provided counselling and in the course of that dealt with the sexual abuse.’
Prosecutor Patricia Deighan said the images ‘include moving images and they include very young children – a boy of eleven or twelve, a girl nine or ten and an indecent image of an infant.’
In total the police recovered 225 category ‘A’ images, 345 category ‘B’ images and 719 of category C images.
Harris had been out celebrating getting a new job on the night of the London Bridge attack, but he was never able to take up the position.
Jihadists Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30 and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were all shot dead by police after their murderous rampage.
Harris, 38, was severely injured in the atrocity that left eight people dead and 48 injured (pictured: Borough Market after the attack)
Harris featured on a JustGiving page on July 6, which has raised more than £7,000.
It read: ‘Adam Harris was severely injured in the London terrorist attacks on June 3. He was stabbed during the attack and has undergone surgery at St Thomas’ Hospital.
‘Adam showed tremendous bravery to protect friends during the attack. This fund is a small gesture of support to help Adam and his family at this difficult time.
‘Thank you in advance for your generous contribution. It is greatly appreciated.’
Along with the many donations to Harris are comments which call him a ‘legend’ and a ‘hero’ – and an anonymous donation to the pervert of a whopping £1,175.
The court heard that Harris moved back to Northumberland to live with his mother after the attack as it has affected his ability to work and he is also prescribed anti-depressants.
Judge Pillay told Harris: ‘For well over a year you had been downloading and accessing this material – needless to say the material was not only distressing but in your case some of the material was of an extreme nature,’ the judge said.
‘However, to your credit you have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity at the Magistrates’ Court to this material.
‘Anyone that appears before this court with contraband of this extreme nature – it is to prison they go.
‘In your case I have had sight of a very detailed pre-sentence report and that of a clinical psychologist.
‘She says there are certain risks to your receiving a custodial sentence and that you have engaged with her in the process of overcoming these interests that you have.’
Harris, of Ashington, Northumberland, had admitted three counts of making indecent images of children at Highbury Magistrates’ Court.
The paedophile was given a nine month sentence suspended for two years, he must undergo a 60 day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He will also be subject to a five year sexual harm prevention order and ten years on the sex offenders register.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: ‘Harris’ actions have helped fuel a vile online trade which involves children suffering horrific abuse in the real world in order for these sickening images to be made.
‘The proliferation of online abuse images is a growing issue and tech companies, government and law enforcement must continue to work together to tackle it. It is right that when consumers of this material like Harris are caught they are brought to justice and we hope the rehabilitation he will now receive as part of his sentence will lessen the risk of him offending in the future.’