A MAN who downloaded and shared indecent child images has been given a chance to address his “demons”.

Michael Bowes, 25, of Charlotte Street, Stanley, admitted three charges of making indecent images of a child and nine counts of distribution of such material, from August to September 2016, at Durham Crown Court,.

Graeme Cook, mitigating, urged Judge Jonathan Carroll to avoid a custodial sentence, as Bowes has no previous convictions and, after five years out of work, has a building site job offer.

Judge Carroll said it was in “society’s interests” Bowes’ “demons” are addressed.

He imposed a 24-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, on the basis Bowes attends an accredited sex offender programme and 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Bowes will be on an electronically-monitored six-month 8pm to 8am home curfew and must perform 200-hours’ unpaid work.

He will also be subject to an unlimited Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ten years’ registration as a sex offender.