A MAN who told police he was viewing indecent images to try to “catch” paedophiles has avoided jail.

James Williams, of Webb’s Close, Wolvercote, Oxford, has now admitted six counts of possessing indecent images of children.

The 27-year-old was found to have viewed almost 5,500 of the photographs – 500 of which showed adults abusing children.

But prior to his sentencing he insisted he was not a paedophile and was actually “investigating” who was behind the pictures.

Jane Brady, prosecuting, said that Williams had initially told police he “accidentally” clicked on around 100 of the images.

But she said an analysis of his laptop – plus four portable hard drives and a USB stick – revealed a different picture.

In total police found 5,448 indecent images of children, which had been viewed between October 2005 and December 2011, when he was arrested.

This included 293 level four images and 207 at level five – the most extreme images showing child abuse.

Tony McGeorge, defending, said his client had mental health problems, was unemployed and lives with his father.

He told Judge Ian Pringle in Oxford Crown Court yesterday that it would not benefit society if Williams was sent to prison.

Mr McGeorge said: “What he thought he was doing was trying to track down those who disseminate this kind of material.

“At the time what was in his mind was he would be able to provide the information to help catch people.”

But Judge Pringle said he was concerned this explanation meant Williams was not taking responsibility for his crimes. He said Williams needed to “face up to the fact that it was wrong to download these images”.

Mr McGeorge told the judge that his client did now accept that what he was doing was wrong.

He said: “These are not simply things he is saying to avoid a prison sentence.

“He is facing up to what he has done. He has never been in trouble before.

“It is something that has been hard for him to face up to.”

Judge Pringle sentenced him to a community order with 12 months of supervision and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Williams was also made subject to a sexual offences prevention order banning him from using the internet without restrictions. He has also signed the sex offenders’ register.

Judge Pringle said: “By downloading these images you create a market which will lead to other children being abused in this way.

“I hope you understand that now.”