Former States psychiatrist jailed for indecent images offences
A FORMER States psychiatrist has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for downloading and possessing indecent images of children under the age of 16.
Dr Gregory Lydall, 44, had previously admitted the offences, which the court heard involved some images of children thought to be three-years-old.
Most of the images involved were of the lowest category of severity, level one. There were three of level five, the highest category, 27 of level four with the rest at levels two and three.
A total of 775 indecent photographs were discovered plus 4,137 pseudo-images – computer-created indecent pictures of children and many of these were said to be very lifelike.
Advocate Peter Ferbrache, defending, said that since his arrest in January this year, Lydall had taken major steps towards addressing his addiction to pornography, including joining Sex Addicts Anonymous and undertaking a course of treatment aimed at men with this addiction.
He had been assessed as having a low risk of reoffending.
The advocate summarised 36 character references that had been submitted in mitigation. While some were from Lydall's family and friends, others were from former patients and there were several from medical professionals who had worked with Lydall.
In sentencing, Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon said the court considered the consequences of Lydall's offences could have an adverse effect on how psychiatry was regarded.
'We regard these types of offences as abhorrent and disgusting.' he said.
