To be fair, there can be other reasons for asking a techie not to look at the contents of a hard drive. There could, for example, be bank details and other financial information - mine being a case in point.

It's remotely possible that images could remain in the internet cache - trojans and the like can download unwanted images, for example. Admittedly, the images reported to have been found may not fall into this category.

However, if you have a secondhand PC and have set up a new user profile, you may not have access to files a previous user put there, especially if you are as technically ignorant as Mr Gadd appears to be.

I acquired a secondhand laptop (riddled with spyware) some years ago, and became aware that the previous user was fond of dodgy websites... the difference is that I knew exactly how to clear the unsavoury stuff from the machine

Since reading the Wordpress article (link posted by Jack Campin above), it's patently obvious that his crimes have been blown out of all proportion by the media, even to the point that some of the reports about his activities in Vietnam may even be a total fabrication. Read the article to understand what I mean.

Unfortunately, people are all too quick to form their own opinions based entirley upon what has been reported, with complete disregard for the truth.

As someone once said, 'Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story'.

I'm not saying the man was completely innocent, but far less of a danger to society than he has been painted. Possibly.

We should always be sure of our facts - rumours and speculation regarding Captain Schettino (Costa Concordia) are a case in point.

People are often guilty of confusing their own opinions with fact...