A MAN from St Asaph whose laptop contained more than 150 indecent images of children has been spared jail.

Stephen Clarke, 65, of Bro Havard, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year, at Mold Crown Court today (June 3).

He had previously admitted three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

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Prosecuting, Myles Wilson told the court that, in October 2022, police seized Clarke’s laptop from his home before examining it.

That examination revealed a “fairly large” number of indecent images of female children aged between four and 14.

These comprised 14 category A (deemed the most serious), 27 category B, and 124 category C images.

Clarke was also found to have been making a “large number of searches” for this type of material on the internet, Mr Wilson added.

Defending Clarke, Simon Killeen invited the court to consider suspending his custodial sentence.

With no previous convictions, Clarke was formerly a man of good character, while his guilty pleas at the magistrates’ court were considered an acceptance of wrongdoing on his part.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry agreed to suspend Clarke’s sentence, but also imposed a seven-year sexual harm prevention order and 30 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements.

Clarke was also made subject to a curfew, prohibiting him from leaving his home between the hours of 7pm and 7am for the next three months.

Judge Parry told him: “What was being viewed on these images was actually happening to these little children, and that’s why it’s so serious.

“It only happens to these little children because people like you view these images. You provide the market.

“You’ve acted entirely out of character. I’m giving you an opportunity to work with the probation service. They are there to help and support you, and it’s important that you engage with them.

“Don’t commit any other offences. I’m sure you won’t.”

A deprivation order was made in respect of the equipment police seized from Clarke, who will also pay a statutory surcharge.