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Actor did not want paedophile tag Actor did not want paedophile tag
(about 1 hour later)
Actor Chris Langham pleaded not guilty to the child pornography charges he is accused of because he did not want to be called a paedophile, a court heard.Actor Chris Langham pleaded not guilty to the child pornography charges he is accused of because he did not want to be called a paedophile, a court heard.
The 58-year-old admitted looking at the images but said he did so to resolve a long-standing psychological problem, Maidstone Crown Court heard.The 58-year-old admitted looking at the images but said he did so to resolve a long-standing psychological problem, Maidstone Crown Court heard.
Mr Langham, of Golford, near Cranbrook, Kent, denies 15 counts of making an indecent image of a child in 2005.Mr Langham, of Golford, near Cranbrook, Kent, denies 15 counts of making an indecent image of a child in 2005.
He also denies six indecent assault charges and two of serious sex assault.He also denies six indecent assault charges and two of serious sex assault.
Prosecutor Richard Barraclough said: "You pleaded not guilty because you were labelled a paedophile?"Prosecutor Richard Barraclough said: "You pleaded not guilty because you were labelled a paedophile?"
I was aware of the fact it was illegal and did it anyway Chris LanghamI was aware of the fact it was illegal and did it anyway Chris Langham
"Yes, that's correct," Mr Langham replied."Yes, that's correct," Mr Langham replied.
"But you are guilty of the images counts?" Mr Barraclough asked."But you are guilty of the images counts?" Mr Barraclough asked.
The actor replied: "Yes, that's correct."The actor replied: "Yes, that's correct."
"So your plea of not guilty is simply some sort of statement that you are not a paedophile?" Mr Barraclough inquired."So your plea of not guilty is simply some sort of statement that you are not a paedophile?" Mr Barraclough inquired.
Mr Langham said: "Yes that's absolutely correct." Mr Langham said: "Yes, that's absolutely correct."
The actor was accused of indulging in "pseudo psychobabble" to explain his actions.The actor was accused of indulging in "pseudo psychobabble" to explain his actions.
Mr Langham said: "I was trying to break down something inside me that I could use for my own development. Mr Langham said: "I was trying to break down something inside me that I could use for my own development."
He admitted he never told his wife he viewed indecent images of children, and said: "I suppose it's very personal to me and something I didn't feel comfortable about, but I was also aware of the fact it was illegal.He admitted he never told his wife he viewed indecent images of children, and said: "I suppose it's very personal to me and something I didn't feel comfortable about, but I was also aware of the fact it was illegal.
"I was aware of the fact it was illegal and did it anyway.""I was aware of the fact it was illegal and did it anyway."
Mr Langham told the court he did not think looking at material "posted openly" was a criminal act.Mr Langham told the court he did not think looking at material "posted openly" was a criminal act.
When Mr Barraclough asked if he was a sick man, the actor replied: "I would describe myself as a human being, a work in progress."When Mr Barraclough asked if he was a sick man, the actor replied: "I would describe myself as a human being, a work in progress."
The prosecutor accused Mr Langham of being a "perverted individual".The prosecutor accused Mr Langham of being a "perverted individual".
On Thursday jurors at the court were directed to clear Mr Langham on four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16 between 1996 and 1998.On Thursday jurors at the court were directed to clear Mr Langham on four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16 between 1996 and 1998.
The trial continues.The trial continues.