A PAEDOPHILE has avoided jail despite collecting images of child sexual abuse for more than four years.

Jason Barrow, of Lilac Drive, Northwich, appeared at Chester Crown Court on July 9 facing six indecent image charges.

The court heard the 46-year-old had downloaded a total of 23 indecent photographs of children, as well as having 19 prohibited pictures of children and one extreme pornographic image between September 2018 and April last year. 

Of the 23 indecent images, 10 were category A - the most serious - while six were category B and seven were category C.

At a court hearing on May 3, Barrow pleaded guilty to all charges, before returning to the dock this month for sentencing.

Judge Steven Everett handed him an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years.

As part of the sentence, Judge Everett also ordered Barrow to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, to be done within 12 months, and participate in up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

Barrow was also ordered to forfeit a iPhone and another mobile, both of which will be destroyed.

Judge Everett also placed Barrow on the sex offenders register for 10 years and made him the subject of a decade-long sexual harm prevention order.

The order bans Barrow from using a computer or a device capable of accessing the internet unless he notifies police.

He must also make any device immediately available for inspection by police on request.