A former rugby league professional has been jailed for possessing an “enormous” quantity of child pornography.
Philip Eden, father of former Huddersfield Giants fullback Greg Eden, had more than 4,000 disturbing images and films at levels four and five, the two most serious categories of offending.
Eden, 49, of Geary Drive, Alverthorpe, Wakefield – who played for Halifax, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford rugby league teams – pleaded guilty to 21 charges of possession of indecent photographs of children.
Leeds Crown Court heard the majority of those images featured children under the age of 10 being sexually abused.
Some were less than a year old.
Eden’s counsel, Christopher Morton, said he had committed the offences while suffering from depression following the breakdown of his relationship.
Judge, Sally Cahill QC, jailed him for 16 months.
Greg Eden now plays for Hull KR.
