A PARAMEDIC who was once honoured for his bravery by the chief constable of Thames Valley Police has been convicted of having indecent images of children.

David Willey, of Stickley Court, Faringdon, had already admitted one count of having prohibited images of children and two counts of making indecent photographs of children.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing on Thursday how police first raided the 41-year old's home on May 18 last year and seized electronic items.

Arrested on suspicion of having indecent images Willey told police that 'there had been a lot of pop-ups' which he couldn't stop while accessing adult pornography.

He later went on to admit all of the charges after forensic investigators discovered a total of 119 images ranging from category A to B.

A number of other images - which were largely of boys aged as young as 13, were also CGI and cartoon images, the court heard.

Previously Willey was recognised for bravery and given an award by then chief constable of Thames Valley Police Sara Thornton.

He was given the honour for helping to apprehend a man who was trying to rob a charity shop worker in East Oxford in July 2007. 

In mitigation, Jane Brady said that her client had now resigned his post as a paramedic in the run up to the sentencing in order to save embarrassment.

She added that he was undergoing treatment to tackle his offending.

Sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly ordered that Willey be made subject to a community order for 24 months to include participation in the Horizon programme for 25 sessions as well as 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge.