AN ENGINEER who admitted having indecent photos and cartoons of children on his computer has avoided jail.

Michael Paterson, now of Orchard Avenue, Lancing, West Sussex, was living in Oak Tree Close, North Leigh, when he committed the offences between 2008 and 2013.

Charles Ward-Jackson, prosecuting, yesterday told Judge Ian Pringle the 32-year-old was found to have a total of 512 indecent photographs on three hard drives.

Richard Lindsay, defending yesterday at Oxford Crown Court, said: “Mr Paterson is greatly remorseful for what he has done.’’ Judge Ian Pringle sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed

Our top stories