A PENSIONER who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Paul Harris, of Beechfield in Moulton, appeared at Chester Crown Court on May 23 where he was handed an eight-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The 76-year-old pleaded guilty to downloading a total of 539 indecent images of children between November 21, 2021, and January 23 this year.

Two of the images were classed as the most serious (category A), eight were category B and 527 of them were category C.

As well as the suspended sentence, Recorder Mark Ainsworth ordered Harris to register with a police station for 10 years and made him subject to a sexual harm prevention for the same amount of time.

Harris is prohibited from using any computer or device capable of accessing the internet, unless he has notified the police within three days of getting any such device and has provided to the police its make, model, and serial number.

He is not allowed to delete his search history and must make the device immediately available on request for inspection by a police officer, or police staff employee.

Harris must also complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.