A MAGISTRATE said “a once respected man will suffer greatly” as he was being sentenced for making 250 indecent images of children.

Robert Leslie Jones, 53, of Dolhendre, Llangynog, pleaded guilty to making 250 category C indecent images of children at a previous court appearance and was sentenced at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court that in 2015, police executed a warrant after receiving information about a property in Llanrhaeadr.

When attending the address, the defendant said “it was me,” and said he had clicked on things, adding there was nothing sinister about it.

He pointed officers towards the laptop used, which was seized, and was heard by officers saying “curiosity killed the cat I’m afraid.”

When examined, 250 category C images of children were found.

Examples given included a nine-year-old girl, partly on the side, with her leg in the air wearing under wear.

Another example included a girl aged under 10, with just lower under wear on.

In interview, Jones said he was searching for non nude images, and got no sexual gratification from what he saw, and said he didn’t know why he carried on looking.

He said he was looking for adult porn, and said things got worse, explaining it was a fascination and added “I can’t explain it”.

Robert Hanratty, for Jones, said there had been a great impact on his family.

He said his client admitted prior to the dates, that he had been looking for adult material in 2013 and inappropriately clicked on images and saved them.

He added there were nine occasions over a 16 month period.

Mr Hanratty also told magistrates there was no suffering or anything of that nature shown by the children in the photographs.

He also added Jones was a man of previous good character, had expressed remorse, and the incident had been a “disaster for his family”.

Chair of the bench Leslie Curley told the defendant the act was totally inappropriate, illegal and described him as a once respected man who will suffer greatly for this.

He was made subject to a three year community order, with 35 rehabilitation days.

He was put on the community sex offenders programme, made subject to a five year sexual harm prevention order and put on the sex offenders register for five years.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.