A PASTOR has been jailed after admitting having sexual images of children on his computer.

Daniel Erickson-Hull lead services at Higher Ground Church in Smeaton Road, Woodford Green, where he was better known as “Pastor D”.

The 41-year-old, of Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, admitted making and possessing indecent images of children and was sentenced to one year and three months in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday (May 5).

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

He was also known in the community for the “Redbridge Birdwatching” site he started in 2010 to keep track of bird sightings across the borough.

Commenting on the conviction, founder of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) Peter Saunders said: “People who view or download images of children being abused are criminals of the most vile kind.

“Children's lives' are blighted forever when they suffer these horrific attacks and people who promote this 'trade' by watching or downloading them are as bad as the actual perpetrators of the abuse.

“When these crimes are perpetrated by someone purporting to hold some sort of religious position, it adds an element of evil because their actions almost imply God's involvement.”

He added: “This man has got off very lightly for his crime. He will be out and about in a few months.

“The victims of these crimes will have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives.”

A spokesman for the National Society for the Protection of Children (NSPCC) said: “Erickson-Hull’s crimes have helped fuel the vile trade in indecent images of children.

“We must not forget that every single one of these images is a crime scene and real children are abused so they can be created.

“Viewing and sharing this terrible material creates a market for it and it is right that people who do so, like him, face the courts for their crimes.”

Anyone who is concerned about a child they fear is being abused should call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.