A NEWTOWN man who admitted possessing hundreds of vile child abuse images has been given a community order.

Keiran Robert Burrows, 33, of Canal Road, Newtown, had pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images ranging from Category A to Category C, at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court, where Philip Clemo, prosecuting, said Burrows was arrested in October 2018.

A warrant had been issued at his address, and a number of items were seized by police including two laptops, a tower computer and a hard-drive.

Forensic analysis showed that Burrows possessed 117 Category A indecent images, 240 Category B images, 182 Category C images and eight Category A movies were found on his laptop.

Mr Climo added that when Burrows was arrested he was candid "about what he had been up to", admitted he had sought sexual gratification and wanted help.

Debra White, defending, said Burrows was of previous good character, had shown a "willingness to accept his behaviour" and had taken "positive steps", becoming involved with the Lucy Faithful Foundation since his arrest.

Having read a pre-sentence report, Judge Niclas Parry said it was an "extremely worrying case" as the offending was across a six-year period to 2018.

He said: "You deliberately searched for images of the most vile abuse of children, even babies.

"The number of images was not insignificant.

"It's because of people like you providing a demand for these images that dreadful acts are suffered by real children"

Judge Parry added: "Everyone accepts you are truly remorseful and motivated not to re-offend.

"You're young, you're trying and I'm giving you a chance - make sure you take it."

Burrows was spared a prison sentence and was given a three-year community order for the possession of Category A images. There were no separate penalties for the Categorry B and C charges.

He will undergo rehabilitation and 150 hours unpaid work in the community, and has also been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order