A MAN from Buckley who was found to be in possession of indecent images of children has been spared jail.

Benjamin Jones, of Cromwell Avenue, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, at Mold Crown Court today (September 19).

The 31-year-old had previously admitted distributing an indecent image of a child, and three counts of making indecent images of children.

Prosecuting, Karl Scholz told the court that, shortly before 3.30am on July 15, 2022, Jones uploaded an indecent video of a child to his Snapchat account.

The matter was referred to police, while Snapchat subsequently closed his account.

On December 8, 2022, police arrested Jones at his home, and seized his mobile phone.

Analysis of the phone found seven still and 33 moving indecent images of “category A” (the most serious), five still and three moving category B images, and six still and one moving category C images.

(Image: staff)

Some of the children depicted in the material were believed to be aged as young as four, Mr Scholz said.

The phone also contained 81 files, and a number of conversations, indicative of a sexual interest in children.

Jones, who had one previous conviction from 2010 for driving matters, represented himself at today’s hearing.

He said: “I’d just to like say it was a one-off occurrence that happened over a short period of time.

“Nearly two years later, nothing has happened since.”

Jones added that he is “struggling a little bit financially at the moment”.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts told Jones he had exhibited a “disgusting interest in the abuse of very young children”.

But Judge Petts added: “On the plus side for you, you have expressed remorse, have stayed out of trouble in the 18 months it took for this to get to court, and there is a pre-sentence report, which is very helpful.

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“The realistic prospect of rehabilitation that there is outweighs appropriate punishment through immediate custody.”

Jones must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work, three months of drug rehabilitation, and a 45-session programme requirement.

He will also adhere to a sexual harm prevention order, and sex offenders register notification requirements for 10 years.

A deprivation order was made in respect of Jones’ seized phone, while he will also pay a statutory surcharge and court costs.