Ex BNP man was part of a child porn network

A man who stood for the BNP in the county council elections was the member of a child porn network- where he possessed and distributed child pornography of boys under the age of 13.

Leicester Crown Court heard how Gavin Leist, aged 20 from Ratcliffe Road, Loughborough, had been "grappling with his sexuality" and had arrived at indecent images of children through an interest in pornography.

'He [Gavin] pleaded guilty to three to three counts of distribution- 57 Level One, seven Level Two and Six Level Four images. He also pleaded gulity to possessing 68 Level One, 11 Level Two and eight Level Four images.

The scale is set from one to five- five being the worst category.

The court heard that he was arrested at the Ramada Hotel, in High Street, where he used to live and work as a reception team leader, following police intelligence.

He stood for the BNP at Leicestershire County Council elections in 2009 for Loughborough North West, which covers Thorpe Acre and Garendon Park. He gained 281 votes, but was knocked out by Labour [and finished last by miles].

The court heard that his computer was seized by police, but no images were found. They were eventually discovered on an email zip file left in his sent box.

James Varley, prosecuting, told the court: "He had joined an online paedophile network. He had exchanged emails and incited people to send pictures and they had done so. He also sent emails to three different users with pictures. He said he was hetrosexual and has a girlfriend and through pornography was interested in this material."

Gareth Weetman, defending told the court told the court "he was only 16 when he became involved in this online activity and had shown a level of remorse."

He said "he was a young man - just come out of his teens - who has been grappling with his sexuality. He says he is hetrosexual. He has lost his job and previous home. He is back to square one living with his mum and dad."

Mr Weetman asked the judge to serve Leist with a suspended sentence.

However, Michael Port QC felt custody was the only option.

The difficulty I have is that you crossed a significant line. You accessed material and you have distributed it. It is so serious that a significant custodial sentence is the only way to deal with it."

He handed Leist a 16 month prison sentence, of which he will have to serve half. He was also handed a Sexual Offences' Prevention Order, which means his future computer use can be monitored at any time.

Loughborough Echo