A PERVERT pensioner's secret interest in pictures of child abuse was revealed when he took his mobile into a phone shop to be replaced.

Staff at the store spotted the photographs when the 67-year-old asked for data to be transferred to his new handset and the old one wiped.

Police were called and Russell Chapman's home in Laburnum Street, Hartlepool, was searched and more images were found on another phone.

Chapman was spared jail at Teesside Crown Court when his barrister argued he would not get the treatment he needs behind bars.

Andrew Teate, mitigating, said a prison sentence has to be at least three years for an offender to be allowed on a treatment programme.

According to sentencing guidelines, the crimes would attract a term of about 12 months for a person of good character who pleaded guilty.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told balding Chapman: "I'm not doing this is your best interests, but in the best interests of the community."

He was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted making and possessing indecent images of children.

The judge told him: "You will be subject to supervision for two years and will be referred to the sex offender treatment programme.

"Do not think that's the soft option . . . you will find it intensive.

"The probation officer considers it essential in your case because in their judgement you pose, and I quote 'a high risk of harm'.

"If you were to get that in custody it would have to be a sentence well outside the guidelines."

Chapman, who arrived at court with two large suitcases on wheels expecting jail, also had indecent pictures on a computer disc.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told the judge that there were a total of 390 pictures, and some of them involved sexual activity with animals.