Paedophile who took covert photos of child on a beach is jailed

A paedophile who took illegal pictures of a child on a beach and had a collection of over 40,000 abuse images has been put behind bars.

Russell Buglass focused his covert camera on the girl's genital area as she played with a bucket on Tynemouth beach in North Tyneside, and took 21 sickening secret photographs.

The images which featured the unknown child, who was aged between four and six, were found on a computer file Buglass had named "Beach babes".

Newcastle Crown Court heard the married dad's computer devices also contained thousands of abuse images, prohibited images and extreme pornography.

His vile collection was discovered when police raided his home in January, where children's underwear was found in his bedside cabinet.

They also found sexual videos featuring a doll and baby clothes.

Buglass, 55, of no fixed address, admitted taking indecent photographs, making indecent photographs, possessing indecent images and possessing extreme pornography.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court the downloaded images that were found included 311 pictures and 11 videos of Category A, which is the most serious, 553 pictures and 2 videos of category B and 40,621 pictures and 47 videos which were category C.

Buglass had 4,299 pictures and six videos which were prohibited images plus 910 pictures and 115 videos which were extreme pornography.

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Mr Pallister said the images featured children aged between five and 17 years old being abused and told the court the child featured in the 21 beach pictures could not be identified and her face could not be seen in the images.

Mark Harrison, defending, said Buglass, who denied having a sexual interest in children, has ruined his family relationships and "professional career" and has been living on benefits in a B&B.

Mr Harrison said Buglass has ADHD and autism, has sought professional help and is "utterly ashamed" of what he did.

Judge Tim Gittins said the offences were of "considerable concern" and sentenced Buglass to two years behind bars.

Buglass has to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.