Buckley guilty over indecent pics charge

Mike Buckley

SADDLEWORTH parish councillor Mike Buckley has been convicted of downloading indecent pictures of naked young boys to his computer after a one-day trial.

A jury was unanimous in finding 67-year-old Buckley guilty on 16 counts of making indecent images of youngsters aged between six and 17.

Buckley, from Dobcross, an independent member of Saddleworth Parish Council, will be sentenced in the New Year, but has already been told he will not face prison.

Judge Jonathan Foster QC said the offences were at the lower end of the scale, and Buckley will already face a financial penalty as well as the loss of his good name.

He will have to sign the sex offenders register and pay hefty legal fees and costs.

Judge Foster thanked the jury panel for its careful deliberations, adding: “It is a very difficult job to have to be an arbiter of standards.”

The jury at Manchester Crown Court, was told more than 300 pictures and video clips of naked boys were found on Buckley’s computer in search of his home in March 2014.

The pensioner had never disputed downloading the images but maintained they were not indecent.

The jury took a different view after viewing a selection of the pictures.

Juliet Berry prosecuting, said the 16 counts had been specimen counts representing a course of behaviour.

The judge rejected defence lawyer Sarah Reade’s submission that Buckley had no case to answer. Buckley will be sentenced on January 13.