A WILMSLOW pervert has avoided jail despite being found with dozens of child and animal sex abuse pictures.

Barry Byrne, of Hawthorn Street, collected more than 60 indecent images between October 18, 2021, and November 29, 2022.

Of these images, 40 of them were extreme pornographic images portraying sexual acts with animals.

The 49-year-old also had eight indecent pictures and one video of children deemed to be category A - the most serious.

Byrne was found to have 10 category B images as well as five pictures and one video at category C.

After being charged with multiple counts of making and possessing indecent images of children and extreme porn, Byrne pleaded guilty on February 26.

He then appeared at Chester Crown Court on April 24 where Judge Michael Leeming sentenced him to a total of 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

As part of his sentence, Byrne must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, while Judge Leeming made an order depriving him of his mobile phone.

Byrne, who must also compete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity, was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

This order bans him from using any device capable of accessing the internet unless he first notifies the police.

Byrne was also ordered to pay a £156 surcharge.