Married couple jailed as WhatsApp messages expose sick images of young child

A seemingly-ordinary couple have been jailed after sickening WhatsApp messages exposed their depraved secret.

Andrew Boyd, 41, and Lara Boyd, 40, from Tameside, appeared to the outside world a 'middle-aged couple working hard in their employment'.

In reality, they were taking 'enormous' amounts of cocaine and drinking 'gallons' of booze. The pair secretly took images of a child they had a 'sexual interest' in, Manchester Evening News reports.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard officers were alerted to an indecent image of a child from Andrew's IP address. Police attended the couple's home and he was arrested. Electronic devices - including an iPad, iPhone, Playstation 4 and laptop - were seized.

Andrew admitted he had spoken to people on the messaging app Kik on 'topics of a sexual nature', but denied sharing images of children.

Officers uncovered indecent images of a child 'clearly taken without any form of knowledge or consent'. WhatsApp messages showed the child was the subject of their 'sexual appetite'. The images were only shared between the pair, who were both later arrested.

Andrew Boyd earlier pleaded guilty to voyeurism; publishing an obscene article; two counts of making indecent images of children; two counts of distributing indecent images of children; and possession of an extreme pornographic image.

Lara Boyd admitted voyeurism; publishing an obscene article; and two counts of making indecent images of children. They were both jailed for two years.

The child penned a statement saying the Boyds would 'never fully know the effects' the ordeal has had on them. They said they have 'recurring nightmares'. Andrew sat staring at the floor in court while Lara sobbed.

Saul Brody, representing Andrew, said he 'sank into the mire of alcohol and drug fuelled depravity'. 'Disinhibited' by booze and cocaine, his client began accessing pornography, which led to an 'unhealthy interest in more taboo and extreme areas', Mr Brody added.

He described the messages between the couple as 'revolting'. Mr Boyd said Andrew is now sober and a 'very different person'.

Lara is 'thoroughly ashamed', barrister Ellie Akhgar said, adding: "She knows this is quite the fall from grace. The commission of these offences are, and will be, the greatest regret of her life, and she accepts they should be." Lara has stopped taking drugs and now 'rarely' drinks.

The couple's relationship is 'complex', the court heard. Ms Akhgar said Lara had been 'subject to bouts of domestic violence at the hands of Andrew'. They are still together.

Judge Tina Landale said it was an 'extremely serious' case and that the impact on the victim has been 'severe'.