A man wrongly tried to blame his dead son after hundreds of child porn pictures were found on a computer.

Trevor Docherty claimed his son, Andrew, was responsible for the images found at a house in Jaywick.

But a court heard the pictures had nothing to do with the dead man.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told 617 indecent pictures of children were found on a computer and discs at Docherty's home, in Austin Avenue, Jaywick, in May last year.

They ranged from level one to level five - the most serious category - Matthew Gowen, prosecuting, said.

Docherty, 57, told police he had found the images on a computer and said his son had downloaded them.

But Mr Gowen told the court computer experts found most of the images had been created after the death of Andrew Docherty, in January.

"The prosecution does not accept that any of the images found had anything to do with Andrew Docherty," Mr Gowen said.

Docherty admitted 14 charges of making indecent images of children and two charges of possessing indecent images of children when he appeared in court for sentence.

He was jailed for 12 months, but Judge Chris Ball QC also imposed an extended licence period of four years.

This means Docherty could be recalled to prison if he offends again with four years.

The judge also banned Docherty from working with children and said he must stay on the sex offenders' register for ten years.

"You and you alone are responsible for the production of these images," Judge Ball told Docherty.

Donald Oates, mitigating, said Docherty still maintained his son had been responsible for the images and he also said Docherty did not have a sexual interest in children.

Docherty had lost his job, his home and he was no longer living with his wife over these matters, Mr Oates said.

Published Monday January 12, 2004

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