A PAEDOPHILE who downloaded more than 140,000 indecent images of children has escaped a prison sentence.

Kent Wei Yip, 39, viewed the staggering number of pictures and films over a four-year period, Newport Crown Court heard.

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Paul Hewitt, prosecuting, said 288 of those images were classed at category A – these involve children being raped.

There were 209 at category B and 140,362 at category C, the least serious category.

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Yip, of Llanfedw Close, Caerphilly, pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

He also admitted being in possession of an extreme pornographic image portraying a person performing a sexual act with an animal.

The offences were committed between February 6, 2015 and July 10, 2019.

Marian Lewis, mitigating, said: “The defendant was living a reclusive lifestyle.

“He has taken steps to deal with his problem and is thoroughly ashamed.”

The judge, Recorder Caroline Rees, said she was prepared to spare Yip a prison sentence because there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation".

He was sentenced to a three-year community order.

Yip must complete 35 sessions of the Horizon sex offender programme and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The defendant must register as a sex offender for five years and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same period of time.