A NORTHWICH man who began collecting thousands of indecent images of children when he was just 15 has been jailed.

Andrew Keenan, of Church Road, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, May 14, for sentencing on seven charges.

The court heard the now 31-year-old had been in possession of 1,929 prohibited pictures of children between September 30, 2007, and February 15 last year.

During this time he also gathered six extreme porn images depicting bestiality.

But Keenan didn't stop there and continued adding to his collection from August 29, 2014.

From then until February 2023, he made 574 category A indecent images - the most serious - as well as 590 category B and 2,049 category C images. This totalled 3,213 images.

Keenan also shared a category B image on October 17, 2021.

In the dock at an earlier hearing on April 9, Keenan pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, two of possessing prohibited and indecent images, one of possessing an extreme porn image and one of distributing an indecent photograph.

Northwich Guardian: Andrew KeenanAndrew Keenan (Image: Cheshire Police)

Passing sentence on May 14, Judge Simon Berkson jailed Keenan for a total of 12 months.

He was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention, during which he must also register with the police.

The SHPO bans Keenan from using a mobile phone, computer or device capable of accessing the internet, unless he first notifies the police.

Keenan must also make such a device immediately available on request for inspection by police.

An order was also made to deprive Keenan of a number of his devices.