A MAN who had been downloading indecent images of children for more than 10 years has been spared an immediate jail term so he can get help.

Simon Winter, 56, used specialist file sharing software to get hold of movies and pictures of youngsters being raped and sexually abused.

But after hearing the probation service felt they could help Winter, a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday that police received information that indecent images of children were being shared via his computer.

In November 2013 they went to his home on Church Walk, Melksham, to arrest him and seize his computers.

When he was first interviewed he said he had obtained a file sharing program from the internet and used it to download child abuse images for 10 years.

Winter pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.

Tony Bignall, defending, said not only had his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity but shown complete candour when he was questioned.

As a young man, he said, he suffered depression after being badly burned in an accident with a 40-gallon petrol can.

“This is a man who has recognised what he has done wrong,” Mr Bignall said.

“He can be kept clear of offending by means other than immediate custody and that is what I encourage Your Honour to do.”

Passing sentence Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC said: “Your case has caused me very considerable concern.

“You have been in the habit of downloading and having on your computer some simply terrible images of extremely young children and if you didn’t realise it then I am sure you realise it now.

“It is people like you who trade in these ghastly images and you must appreciate now, your solitary enjoyment was much more sinister than it appeared.”

He imposed a two-year jail term suspended for 24 months with supervision and a sexual harm prevention order which restricts his liberty for 10 years.