A PAEDOPHILE caught with images of children as young as four has avoided a custodial prison sentence.

Slough man Anthony Williams was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday (September 7) for three counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child after police searched his property on November 21 last year.

During the search, officers also found two cannabis plants and 25 grams of cannabis. Williams was further charged with cultivating a cannabis plant and possession of a controlled drug of Class B.

READ MORE: CCTV released of men in connection with burglary

Recorder Neil Millard handed the 56-year-old a three-year community order instead of imprisonment at the hearing on Thursday.

The court heard that police attended William’s property in Slough to execute a warrant and had ‘expected’ to find indecent images of children.

When asked if he was the one who downloaded the images after various devices were seized, Williams said: “Yes, I have.”

Police found 280 still Category A images, 178 still and moving Category B images, and 167 still and five moving Category C images.

Category A images involving penetrative sexual activity, images involving sexual activity with an animal or sadism. Category B images involving non-penetrative sexual activity, and category C images are other indecent images not falling within categories A or B.

READ MORE: Man CLEARED of indecent assault against nine-year-old girl

The ages of the children ranged from four to seven and one child was seen to ‘be in distress’, as described by the prosecuting barrister.

While at the property, police also found various other items such as soil, pellets, a lamp, a tent, etc, and suspected that cannabis reduction was taking place.

Williams told officers he was growing it for his own use as opposed to selling it on.

The court heard that the 56-year-old has previous convictions included three offences of exposure in 2008 plus production of cannabis offences in 2015 and 2016.

Sentencing Williams, Recorder Millard said: “The victims of sexual abuse suffer ongoing trauma knowing those images exist on the internet.

“It’s clear you are remorseful and you’ve previously complied with court orders.”

He added: “I accept that the plants were for your own personal use.”

He handed Williams, of Doddsfield Road, Slough, a three-year community order for each count to run concurrently with no separate penalty for the possession of cannabis.

READ MORE: Drug dealer avoids jail due to ill father after caught with £1.6k of cannabis

Williams will also need to complete 45 rehabilitation activity days and pay a £425 victim surcharge.

If he breaches the community order by committing another offence or failing to complete the rehabilitation activity, he will be brought before the court again.