James Woodcock -Wymondham, Norfolk

James Woodcock, 46-years-old, of Verbena Drive, Wymondham

18/12/2025

Wymondham man claims ‘curiosity’ over 9,000 child sex images

A man found to have downloaded thousands of indecent images of children claimed it had been driven by “curiosity” rather than sexual interest.

James Woodcock, 46, was arrested after more than 9,000 pictures were discovered on six electronic devices seized during a police search of his property.

Specialist cyber-crime officers were tipped off of his involvement in online sexual material involving youngsters in 2023.

Woodcock, of Verbena Drive in Wymondham, pleaded guilty to the charges of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs.

Among the images he admitted to having viewed were two in category A – the most serious which can include penetrative sexual activity or sadistic acts; 44 in category B and 9,029 in category C.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told the business analyst claimed the discovery was driven by an addiction to pornography rather than a sexual interest in under-age youngsters.

Malcolm Plummer, mitigating, said: “The pre-sentence report author suggests the offences demonstrate an interest in children, but that is not necessarily so. I think it demonstrates an interest in long-standing pornography which he is addressing.”

He said his use of pornography had begun as “escapism” at a young age but that “his curiosity led him to the darker side”.

“He clearly has a problem he needs to get to grips with,” he added.

Magistrates said his actions amounted to “serious offences” but that his efforts to seek help for his addiction meant he could be rehabilitated in the community.

They suspended a 26 week prison sentence for 24 months ordering him to complete 30 rehabilitation days.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject of a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which allows police to inspect his devices and limits his access to children.