Tattooed father of 15 avoids jail term after being caught with child pornography

FATHER of 15 Stephen Cosworth has walked free from court after being caught with child pornography images.

The heavily tattooed 40-year-old turned up at Gloucester Crown Court with two suitcases expecting a prison term.

But instead Cosworth – described as a loner who never sees any of his 15 kids – was put on a three-year sex offenders' programme.

Cosworth, of Rangers Avenue, Dursley, has the words "God and the Devil fear me" tattooed on the right side of his head. On the back of his head is the saying "United we stand, divided we fall".

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He pleaded guilty to 13 charges of possessing indecent images When Cosworth was called into the courtroom, he was lugging a heavy holdall while a burly security guard carried in an even bigger suitcase.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told him: "Leave it there for the moment. If and when you need it we will send for some porters!"

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said police stopped Cosworth last July and seized his phone in connection with an unrelated investigation. On it they found "inappropriate images" which led to them searching his home.

There they found a hoard of indecent images including some which had been printed out, laminated and put in a folder.

The police also found a notebook in which were written down a series of pornography site addresses were written down.

Cosworth had a long criminal record but it did not involve sex offences, Mr Kesner said.

Judge Tabor said: "He is a father of 15 children – none of whom he sees. He describes himself as a loner but he has 15 children, presumably by a series of different ladies. The State is no doubt paying to support them."

Joe Maloney, defending, said Cosworth's situation was "quite remarkable. He is not part of any paedophile ring. He is a very bright man – very articulate," he said.