Chris Langham found guilty of downloading child porn

Thursday July 31st 2007

Actor Chris Langham has been found guilty of downloading child porn but acquitted of charges of indecently assaulting an underage girl and two counts of a serious sexual offence.

Judge Philip Statman remanded the BAFTA winner in custody for sentencing on September 14.

The jury of seven men and four women deliberated for about two hours and 40 minutes before they returned their verdicts.

Langham claimed in court that he had looked at the images while formulating a character for the BBC series Help.

In a statement he said:

"I am absolutely delighted my name has been cleared of all the charges I have consistently denied.

"I have been found guilty on charges I have made admission to from the moment of my first arrest.

Det Insp Derek Cuff, of Kent Police, said:

"Let us not forget that child abuse images circulating on the internet are real situations involving real children, who are sexually abused for other's gain and self-gratification.Viewing such images simply perpetuates child abuse."