A FORMER child social worker from Blackwood admitted downloading 97 pornographic photos and videos of children.

The images downloaded by Paul Neill, 33, from Pencoed Avenue, Cefn Forest, classed from levels one to five, the worst possible level, Newport crown court was told.

Neill, who pleaded guilty to 17 counts of making child pornography, had worked for Merthyr Tydfil social services as a child care social worker.

Tom Crowther, for Neill, said that he had started to look at porn with the "distressing" break-up of his marriage, and had at first viewed child pornography unintentionally.

After viewing a selection of the images and videos, Judge David Wynn Morgan said they were "very disturbing indeed", adding that in one case a child was obviously distressed at the acts she was forced to perform.

But he said although pre-sentence reports classed Neill as a moderate risk of reoffending he would not be sending him to jail.

"That would punish you but it wouldn't assist the community any further," said Judge Morgan, telling Neill he needed professional treatment to stop his behavour.

Instead he sentenced Neill to a three-year community order during which he must undertake a sexual offender treatment programme and an advanced thinking skills course.

Judge Morgan explained that if he jailed Neill or gave him a suspended sentence he could not ensure he completed the treatment programme.

He said he could only sentence Neill to a maximum of 18 months, meaning he would spend nine months in jail then nine months on licence, which wouldn't be enough time to complete the sex offenders programme.

"I would in effect be sending an untreated sex offender back into the community, something I would find completely dangerous," he said.

But the Judge warned Neill that if he breached the order he would have no hesitation in sending him straight to prison.

Neill was also ordered to register as a sexual offender and banned from working with young children.

  • A spokeswoman for Merthyr Tydfil Council said Neill was immediately suspended following his arrest in September.

He was later sacked after pleading guilty to the offence.

The spokeswoman added: "The council takes very seriously it's responsibilities to safeguard children. The offences, which Mr Neil was found guilty of, did not relate to children known to the Council, or involve the use of work based computers."

Police expected prison sentence GWENT police officers who worked on the case said they had been expecting a custodial sentence.

DC Tim Williams is a hi-tech specialist based at police headquarters who was brought in to forensically examine Neill's computer.

After the hearing, he said it was important to remember that every child in the pictures and videos had been abused and had suffered.

Investigating officer DC Steve Simmonds, of Blackwood Police Station, said he hoped Neill would get the treatment he needed to stop him ever reoffending.