A PERVERT who was caught with indecent images of children avoided prison.

Andrew Bunney downloaded three Category A videos of child sexual abuse, the highest level of offence, two Category B videos and 13 Category C images and videos.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 36-year-old was sent the images over social media in August last year.

Ian West, prosecuting, said the defendant told police he had no sexual interest in children after he was arrested.

Bunney, now of York Place, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to three charges of possession of indecent images.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said the total number of images in the three offences were 'relatively small' but said every image involved a real child being abused.

He said: "Any right-minded member of the public would find them one image totally repugnant, horrible and offensive."

Bunney, formerly of Middlesbrough, was given a six month suspended sentence.