A PAEDOPHILE who visited the Philippines and took indecent pictures of children has avoided prison.

Barry Walker, who committed some of his crimes in Bicester, but is now of no fixed address, admitted four counts of making indecent images of children between January 2009 and March 2012.

The 65-year-old also pleaded guilty to one count of taking indecent images of two children, a boy and a girl, during a trip to the Philippines.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client had felt so guilty about his actions he had not claimed legal aid to save the public paying, and her firm was representing him for nothing.

She said: β€œHe has decided to move out of the family home because of the shame he feels he has brought on himself, but also on his family.”

Miss Fraser added that Walker had been married for 40 years and had four grown-up children who were standing by him.

Judge Gordon Risius said in total Walker had admitted making almost 500 indecent images, including 27 at the most serious levels – four and five.

He sentenced the defendant to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement.

He added that Walker would also have to take part in a sex offender treatment programme and be made subject to a sex offences prevention order.