A MAN who was found with 15,000 indecent images of children - collected over seven years - has avoided jail.

Instead Lewis Parry, 28 received a suspended sentence at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard he was arrested after electrical items were seized with more than 15,000 indecent images of children including child pornography at his home in June 2017.

Prosecuting Joe Bird told the court Parry had shared some images through an online application, but deleted this so there was no way of checking how many were sent to other users.

He said: “The charges began when he was 21 and went on until he was 28 and this was taking place through that time and was a significant part of his life.

“There are aggravating features including his age, the vulnerable nature of the children and the examples of stress and pain caused to the children.”

Mitigating, Christopher Martin said: “He is reasonably well-educated. His long term relationship came to an end on his arrest.

“He has been sidelined by his family and forced to leave the family home as a result of these proceedings.”

Sentencing Parry - who lives in Rippleside, Basildon - Judge Lodge said: “You had a vast collection of images of children being abused. Some were creations and animations and others were images of real children.

“The starting point is three years in prison but you receive merits for the previous good character and the fact there has been no offending since the arrest.

“You will receive 20 months for each count suspended for 24 months.

“You must complete the horizon sex offender programme, 60 days rehabilitation requirement activity and 150 hours unpaid community work.

“You must pay £420 in prosecution costs and will be registered on the sex offenders register for 10 years and I am imposing a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.”