A POWYS man who says pornography is “ruining his life” was spared jail after admitting multiple charges of making indecent images of children.

Jamie Duncan, from Brecon, avoided an immediate or suspended prison sentence this week at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, as it was felt he can be rehabilitated.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the 46-year-old he “richly deserved” custody, after his most recent offences put him in breach of a previous court order, but he said he had been persuaded to keep him out of jail after reading a pre-sentence report.

Duncan, of Coryton Close, Brecon, entered not guilty pleas to three charges when he initially appeared at Merthyr in November.

But last month he admitted the charges, having previously admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), dating back to April 2021.

Duncan admitted making 217 indecent images of children in the most serious Category A; making 91 indecent images in Category B; and making 272 indecent images in Category C.

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He admitted doing so between April 1, 2015, and May 24, 2022.

Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson said police officers visited the defendant at his home on May 24, 2022, as part of a routine check in relation to his previous offending.

She said an examination of his mobile phone and tablet revealed visits to inappropriate websites and the prohibited images were discovered.

“The images had not been present during the last case in 2021,” said Ms Wilson.

“There were graphic titles and sites. He also had a Facebook account in the name of Paul Duncan, and he had not informed the police or agreed it with them."

Duncan had received a two-year community order and five year sexual harm order for the 2021 offences of making indecent images.

“It is an aggravating feature that these offences were committed while in breach of the previous offence,” Ms Wilson added.

Representing Duncan, John Ryan said: “He is addicted to pornography and visited sites regularly.

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“He complied well with the 2021 community order and says he enjoyed attending probation and felt he gained from the sessions.

“Due to Covid, the principle Horizon programme could not be undertaken.

“He has expressed motivation to engage and wants to stop using pornography."

He added: "He feels porn is ruining his life and he wants help. He is autistic and has several difficulties. If jailed, it will be relatively short and nothing will be done to help him, but an onerous order will be of more benefit to the public.”

Judge Jenkins told Duncan: “You richly deserve custody but it would be unlikely the authorities can assist you properly.

“These offences clearly pass the custody threshold, which are exacerbated by your previous convictions. It seems the best course is to follow recommendations of the report.”

Judge Jenkins decided against a suspended prison sentence as they can be suspended for two years at most, but the pre-sentence report suggested probation would need three years to work with duncan.

He instead made a three-year community order, with £1,800 costs, and a new five-year SHPO.

“If you breach it, it’s more than likely I will send you into custody," the judge said. 

"The only reason I’m making this order is because you were unable to attend on the Horizon programme on the last occasion.”