A PAEDOPHILE from Hereford who was caught with hundreds of pictures of child and extreme animal porn has avoided being sent to prison.

Worcester Crown Court heard how police searched the Hereford home of Jeffrey Cooper, 57, after his internet usage showed indecent pictures of children had been downloaded.

David Jackson, prosecuting, said when Cooper answered the door to police and was told what was happening, his reply was “oh s***”.

Police then seized a phone from his home and a laptop from his workplace, also in Hereford, and hundreds of illegal pictures were found.

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Mr Jackson said the age range of the children involved was between two and 17 years old, with the majority between eight and 12.

There were both pictures and videos and the offences spanned almost seven years, with Cooper pleading guilty to 10 charges relating to making and possessing illegal pictures of children and animals.

He said the self-employed carpenter had not paid or shared any pictures, nor had he admitted ever speaking to anyone else about them.

Amy Jackson, defending, said Cooper, of Hurdman Walk, Hereford, was of previous good character and had made full and frank admissions throughout.

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He had also accessed support and rehabilitation, and said the exact number of pictures was disputed as some could have been analysed by police twice.

Sentencing Cooper to a three-year community order, Judge James Burbidge said he had no idea why Cooper had looked at the illegal pictures which showed “abhorrent treatment of individuals”.

The judge said Cooper was “perilously close to prison”, but his business would be adversely affected if so and the offending had stopped.

The three-year community order means Cooper must complete a 60-day programme and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and have to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.