A FLINTSHIRE man who possessed a 'disturbing' collection of indecent movies of children has avoided a jail sentence.

Richard Ryland, 37, of Vicarage Drive in Bagillt, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, February 14.

He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child.

Brian Treadwell, prosecuting, told the court that North Wales Police carried out a search at the defendant's home on September 30, 2021 after they received 'intelligence'.

READ MORE: Increase in dog attacks in Flintshire and Wrexham with almost 200 incidents last year

When they told Ryland why they were at his home, his reply was 'oh my God'.

Two iphones, a computer and a hard drive were seized by officers at the address.

Upon his arrest, Ryland initially denied all knowledge of the material found on the devices, but later pleaded guilty to possessing 26 Category A, 31 Category B and 35 Category C movies which were deemed indecent.

Mr Treadwell told the court that a total of 133 files of a sexual nature had been found on the devices, with a further 126 'deleted' by Ryland.

Emails and messages linked the defendant to the videos, the court also heard.

Some of the children in the videos were as young as four years old, it was revealed.

Robin Boag, defending Ryland, said that he was a man with no previous convictions.

He told of how the defendant had first come across the material 'by chance' in 2020.

It was said that the probation officer did not view Ryland as someone who would be at 'high risk' of re-offending.

Mr Boag added that the conviction alone would act as a 'blemish' on the 'character' of the defendant, adding that a jail sentence would only 'prove negative' in terms of rehabilitation.

The court was also told that Ryland had suffered from depression and stress as a result of his arrest.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said the case was a 'serious and disturbing' one.

However, he added that there was a 'realistic propsect' of rehabilitation in Ryland's case.

Judge Rowlands passed down a 30-week sentence with the category A films the leading charge. This was suspended for a period of two years.

Ryland was also ordered to complete 45 days of rehabilitation and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He will also be on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years and will not be allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults for the same period of time.