A former headteacher who downloaded thousands of sick child abuse images was today allowed to walk free from court for a second time.
Married Thomas Melling was convicted of sexually touching a child in 1999 after kissing one of his pupils but was sentenced for new offences.
The 67-year-old was found with 912 category A images – the worst level – 622 category B images, 1,268 category C images and two extreme pornographic images involving a dog and a horse.
Guildford Crown Court heard that he was also found with 12 cartoon indecent images of children on two hard drives and a computer that were seized by police earlier this year.
WhatsApp messages found on two Samsung Galaxy phones seized by police also showed Melling had shown interest in a nine-year-old child from a family in Kenya he was sponsoring.
Melling, whose previous conviction was mentioned by the judge in his sentencing remarks, was today handed a three-year community order and was ordered to carry out a 100-day treatment program in addition to paying costs of £480.
Guildford Crown Court, pictured, heard that Melling was found with 912 category A images – the worst level – 622 category B images, 1,268 category C images and two extreme pornographic images involving a dog and a horse (stock photo)
He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his use of the internet and banning him from travelling to Kenya, and made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for a decade.
Prosecuting, Tim Devlin told the court that Melling, who was still being supported financially by his teacher wife, was convicted of sexually assaulting a child in 1999 in a historical case that dated back to the early 1980s.
Melling, of Haslemere, Surrey, was arrested when police officers raided his home on April 27 after being alerted by peer-to-peer file-sharing software companies.
Mr Devlin said: ‘Police went around to his address at 6.35am. He lives there with his wife. He is 67, a former teacher.’
He was arrested and released with a caution while police seized his hard drives and computer, where they found the images, as well as two Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Sentencing, Judge Peter Moss said: ‘Thomas Melling, you pleaded guilty at the Magistrates’ Court to five offences relating to indecent images of children.
‘There were in count one 912 category A images, in count two 622 category B images and in court three 1,268 category C images.
‘There are two further charges, one of possession of two extreme pornographic images and the last count of possessing 12 prohibited images of children which I understand to be cartoons. Those are all serious offences.
‘It’s difficult for most people to comprehend why someone would want to look at let alone store such material and you definitely have stored this material.’
He added: ‘You clearly have an interest in sexual abuse and indecent images of children, both boys and girls and this is not the first time you have appeared before a court.’
He continued: ‘By your viewing [the indecent images], it perpetrates the production of such material that others are creating.’
Defending, Guy Bowden said that the father-of-two helped his son to launch a retail estate business, having effectively retired himself since his previous conviction, but had stepped back since his reoffending came to light.
Judge Moss also heard how Melling sold badges for the charity Prostate UK and helped raise money for London’s Air Ambulance.
Mr Bowden said: ‘He has pleaded guilty because he openly accepts responsibility in this case.’
He added: ‘He had been working with his son but he has since stepped away from in the hope that he can avoid or less any damage to his son’s business caused by virtue of his association.’
He had earlier admitted three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of a child, one count of possessing extreme pornography and one count of possessing an indecent image of a child.
Melling spoke to confirm his name at Guildford Crown Court.
His seized hard drives and computer were due to be destroyed but he was allowed to have his two Samsung Galaxy phones returned by the police.