Cardiff Crown Court (Image: Wales Updates)
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An 18-year-old from Newport who shared child sexual abuse material with other offenders has been given a community order at Cardiff Crown Court.
Mason Tarling, formerly of Cormorant Way, Dyffryn, Newport, pleaded guilty to a string of offences involving indecent images of children committed over a two-year period.
The charges
Tarling admitted distributing a category A indecent image of a child – the most serious classification of such material.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children after 24 category A, 20 category B, and three category C images were recovered from his devices. A further 177 prohibited images of children were found in his possession.
His offending took place between 2023 and 2025.
The investigation
Prosecutor Hashim Salmman told the court that the material was discovered on Tarling’s Samsung mobile phone and computer following his arrest.
The defendant provided no comment when questioned by detectives.
Defence
Darren Bishop, representing Tarling, told the court his client had no previous convictions and was aged between 15 and 17 at the time of the offences.
He argued that had the defendant been caught and dealt with while still a juvenile, a youth referral order would have been the most likely outcome.
Mr Bishop said: “He has a lack of social skills and he became a recluse, spending more and more time on his computer and on social media.”
He added: “The defendant has been assessed as presenting a low risk of reoffending.”
The court heard that Tarling is believed to be autistic, though no formal diagnosis has been obtained. His family have also had to move from the area as a result of the case.
Sentencing
Recorder Barry Clarke told Tarling: “These are very serious offences.”
Despite this, the defendant was spared an immediate custodial sentence and was instead given an 18-month community order.
He must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 26 sessions of an accredited programme called “Building Choices.”
Tarling was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. He will also have to pay a surcharge.
