A YOUNG Powys man has avoided a prison sentence after admitting making more than 2,000 indecent images of children.

Anthony Lewis, from Presteigne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday [September 23] where he was ordered to adhere to a two-year community order which will address his sexual predilection towards pre-pubescent young girls.

The court heard how the 21-year-old’s urges had started aged 14 and had now become his “normal existence”.

Lewis previously admitted three charges of making indecent images of children at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court. His sentencing hearing was told that the three charges related to 2,787 images that were discovered on three devices owned by the defendant when police searched his home on March 20 last year, with 317 images deemed Category A – the most serious – in nature.

Prosecutor Tom Scapen said another 6,976 images were not even examined by police because they already had enough evidence to charge Lewis.

Lewis’ Castle Road home was searched on March 20 after investigations revealed concerns about the internet activity on several devices at the address.

“There were concerns the internet at this address had been used to download indecent images of children,” said Mr Scapen.

“The defendant was present and handed his phone to officers and provided them with codes to access it. A preliminary search identified images of children on several devices.”

Three devices were seized, including two mobile phones and a tablet. On them were found 317 Category A images, including video images, 297 Category B images and 2,173 Category C images.

Mr Scapen said Lewis was of previous clean character.

Acting for Lewis, Chris Evans described his client as an “isolated individual”.

“His prosecution has curtailed his urges but he needs help to manage those urges in the long term. He has not had helpful intervention to address these urges before," said Mr Evans.

“He has recognised his behaviour is against the law. He accepts he has these sexual preferences and this has to be the first step towards rehabilitation. He has curtailed his use of substances and been clean of cannabis for over 12 months. He tells me he only drinks now on special occasions.

“His greatest mitigation is the guilty plea, which was indicated in the lower court.”

Mr Evans added: “The defendant was in full time employment before his arrest, but that came to an end following the broadcast of this case.

“Since his arrest, he has made changes to his use of substances. He has a new relationship, a stable one, for the last five months. He tells me his partner is very supportive.”

Sentencing Lewis to a 24-month community order, Mr Recorder Chris Clee said it would include a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. A sexual harm prevention order will run until further notice, while Lewis was also made the subject of a five-year notification order, which means he must inform police of any change in his personal circumstances during that period. He also ordered the three devices containing the images be destroyed.

Mr Recorder Clee told Lewis: “You are 21 and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and while you could have no complaints if I did send you to custody immediately, those factors just about allow me to follow the recommendation in the pre-sentence report that will hopefully address the distortions in your thinking.

“If you fall down on the requirements of that order you will be brought back here and you will go down the stairs.”