A MAN who was found to have images of child abuse and extreme pornography involving animals on his personal computer has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Darren Parker, who had no previous criminal record, was arrested after he was linked to another man detained in the Nottingham area on suspicion of similar offences.

Police examining the 40-year-old’s laptop computer found numerous indecent images, including five classified as being of the most serious category of child abuse, known as category A, and others from category B.

There was also a “large number” of extreme images of pornographic content involving animals – possession of which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, Durham Crown Court heard today (Friday, April 17).

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds said police were also alerted to an online conversation conducted via Skype during which Parker said to another man: “Get me girls, the younger the better.”

Although no charges arose from that conversation, Judge Penny Moreland said it was a “cause for some concern”.

Parker, of Dunelm Way, Leadgate, Consett, pleaded guilty to charges of possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornographic images.

The court heard he was an intelligent man, had expressed shame and remorse for his actions and understood the implications of his type of offending.

He admitted the offences at his first appearance at crown court.

Following an assessment, the Probation Service concluded Parker was at a low risk of reoffending.

Judge Moreland made reference to some background to the case and said she was aware Parker had borne a personal cost for his offending, but declined to air details of either in open court.

She sentenced him to eight months in prison for the child abuse images and two months in prison to run concurrently for the other extreme images.

But she suspended the jail term for two years, meaning Parker walked free from court.

He will be subject to Probation Service supervision for a period of 18 months and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work for the benefit of society.

Parker was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a period of ten years, which bans him from having any contact with a child aged under 16 without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian and working with children or vulnerable adults.

Parker will also be on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

The offensive content will be destroyed, Judge Moreland ordered.