[JURIST] In a move officials described as a first among western democracies, the British government Tuesday unveiled plans to outlaw the possession of "extreme pornographic material," described as graphic, sexually explicit material that "contains actual scenes or realistic depictions of serious violence, bestiality or necrophilia." The ban would extend to internet downloads. It is already illegal to import, publish or sell this category of pornography under the Obscene Publications Law [text] of 1959 and 1964. The proposed legislation would, however, make simple possession an offense, allowing prosecution of those who obtain such material over the internet. Today's consultation paper [PDF] presents the plans and invites public comment. The paper refers to the 2003 murder of 31-year-old Jane Longhurst [BBC report] by an internet porn addict as one catalyst for the proposed legislation, and says it would mirror existing law banning child pornography. Accidental possession, such as receiving unwanted pornographic "spam" emails, would be a defense. BBC News has more.