A MAN has avoided jail for sharing indecent images of children and possessing video tapes of extreme pornography.

Colin Giles, of Usk Way, Didcot, admitted sending and receiving underage photos of children using his mobile phone after chatting with other adults through dating channel Rabbit TV.

The 64-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of distributing indecent images of children between October 1, 2011, and December 16, 2011.

Terrence Woods, prosecuting, said Giles sent a low number of images, most of which were the lowest level of seriousness, level one.

But he added that on December 17, 2011, one level five image depicting much more serious child abuse was sent to a woman who the defendant had been chatting to using Rabbit TV.

The barrister said she had been shocked by what she saw and immediately contacted the police, who also discovered videos of extreme pornography when they raided Giles’ house.

More photos were found on his phone, Mr Woods said, and he also admitted two counts of possessing indecent images and two counts of possessing extreme pornography.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client did not consider himself a paedophile and had not been aware the contents of the videos was illegal.

Judge Tom Corrie said that as it was Giles’ first offence it was more important for him to get treatment for his “distorted” behaviour than go to prison.

He sentenced him to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement and an activity requirement designed to tackle his behaviour.