POLICE have released the mugshot of an ex-soldier jailed after spending years downloading hundreds of indecent images of children.

Ashleigh Todd, of Station Road, Northwich, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday to 18 months in prison.

The 57-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to six charges relating to the possession and making of 499 indecent images.

Prosecuting barrister Peter Hussey, told the court Todd began his offending back in 2012, and spent seven years downloading hundreds of images and videos of children.

Jonathan Rogers, defending, said his client had shown genuine remorse.

"He made admissions in his interview when he was arrested three years ago," he added.

"He accepts what he did was wrong.

"He has no previous convictions and he has contributed to society as a whole for most of his life, including when serving his country in the army for five years."

Recorder Mark Ainsworth told Todd although his offending wasn't 'the worst of its type' it was still 'horrendous'.

As well as sentencing Todd to serve 18 months in jail, the judge also made him subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 10 years.