Walton-le-Dale man who had indecent images of children and extreme images involving animals is given a sexual harm prevention order

John Young, 59, of Holland House Road, Walton-le-Dale, was investigated after his partner found the images on devices at his home, Preston Crown Court was told.

The court was told the pictures had 'seemed unreal' to Young, who is heavily alcohol dependent, but that he now accepted they were pictures of real children being abused.

He admitted possessing one category A image of a child- the most serious on law - with eight at category B, one prohibited image of a child and 402 extreme images involving animals.

Defending, Rachael Woods said: "If there was ever a case where the public shame and humiliation has had a profound effect upon a defendant, this is perhaps such a case.

" Mr Young was warned by his partner she was considering telling the police. He could then have destroyed the items which held the incriminating materials."

She also said he had not sought to minimise the crimes, as others in his position often do.

Judge Richard Gioserano accepted he had been frank about the offences and that there was a prospect of him being rehabilitated.

He said: " You pleaded guilty of course at the earliest available opportunity.

"It is said you are ashamed, disgusted and mortified by what you did, and if I may say so so you should be.

"Right minded people find this sort of material abhorrent. Every image of a child is an image of a child being abused."

He imposed a two year community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, a 35 day rehabilitation requirement and an alcohol treatment requirement and added: " On behalf of the public I do hope the prospect of rehabilitation comes to fruition because if they do not, if there is any further offending - particularly of this kind - you will find yourself sentenced for these offences."

Young will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years and must pay £340 costs.

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