A MAN, who pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing images of child sex abuse, has escaped a jail term.

James Rimmer, of Eastford Road, Lower Walton, was found with 416 indecent images on his laptop and mobile phone and was given an eight month suspended sentence for two years at Warrington Crown Court on Monday.

Judge Nicholas Woodward told James Rimmer, of Eastford Road, he believed the protection of the public would be best served by his rehabilitation and he was ordered to attend a sex offender’s programme.

Judge Woodward said: “These are serious charges but I have to ask myself which is best. Sending you to prison immediately or allowing you to complete the sex offender’s programme.

“I believe it is in the public interest that you should be treated effectively on the programme. This is also in your personal interest.”

The court heard how Rimmer, who pleaded guilty to 20 counts of possessing indecent photographs and two counts of distributing them, was arrested in February 2012 after he sent two indecent images to a man he had met on a homosexual and bisexual site.

The recipient immediately contacted the police after receiving the two images of child abuse of someone believed to be between the age of 10 and 12.

More than a third of images found in Rimmer’s possession were categorised as level four images, just one step down from the most serious category.

Defending, David Rose said that although Rimmer, aged 27, had admitted to police that he had viewed the material, he had not intentionally set out to find the images.

Mr Rose said: “He is remorseful for his actions and is disgusted at what he has done. He is ashamed of what he has done he will never go down that path again.”

Rimmer, who has no previous conviction, was warned that any breach would result in an immediate period of custody.