A BRADFORD barman has been jailed for making indecent images of a child and sending one to an Instagram account. 

Joseph Dracup, 26, of Royds Hall Drive, Buttershaw, Bradford, pleaded guilty to making eight Category C indecent photos and distributing an indecent image.

He was imprisoned for 16 months at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday and ordered to sign on the sex offender register for 10 years. 

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, said that police officers acting on information received went to Dracup’s address.

They seized his phone and found a folder on it with the eight illegal images in it. 

He had distributed another separate indecent image to the Instagram account. 

Mr Sharp said Dracup made no comment when questioned by the police and denied the two charges at the magistrates’ court. He went on to plead guilty at the crown court. 

His barrister, Nicola Hoskins, said that a number of references had been sent to the court and a pre-sentence report had been prepared. 

Dracup was deeply ashamed of his behaviour and very remorseful. 

He had put his time on remand in HMP Durham to good use. He had attained the trusted status of a wing cleaner and he had undergone courses to ensure he would never be in trouble again in the future. 

Miss Hoskins said Dracup had been working as a barman in Bradford city centre and was keen to return to similar employment. 

He had a stable home to return to and his family were very supportive of him. 

She urged the judge to suspend the prison sentence, saying there was a strong prospect of rehabilitation and Dracup would comply with any orders made by the court. 

Recorder Sam Green KC said Dracup had eight Category C photos on his phone and he had distributed a single image at the same level.  

He made no comment when questioned by the police but pleaded guilty at the crown court when the full extent of the case against him was known. 

He was of previous good character and had a solid work ethic but it wasn’t possible to suspend the prison sentence. 

Recorder Green made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Dracup must sign on the sex offender register for ten years.