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Actor did not want paedophile tag | Actor did not want paedophile tag |
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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 Langham | I 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." | |
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." | |
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. |