Hospital manager had child porn

A logistics manager at a secure mental hospital has been found guilty of possessing child pornography.

Laurence Cassidy was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of owning the images, which he had downloaded from the internet.

Cassidy, of Hall Road, Widnes, was caught after he left the CD-Rom containing the images in a works car by accident and it was discovered by a colleague at Ashworth Hospital, Merseyside.

He said the case had "destroyed" his life and embarrassed his family and friends.

230 images

Judge William George remanded him in custody but warned him he could face a jail sentence.

The court was told that the CD-Rom was found to contain 230 indecent images of children, as well as adult pornography.

Cassidy had said he had not knowingly downloaded the child pornography.

The 42-year-old - who is suspended from work - showed no emotion when the verdict was returned but his wife gasped and held her hand over her mouth.