A PERSONAL trainer who downloaded numerous pictures and films of child abuse has been spared a jail term.

Sam Dewar searched for the vile images on the family computer and his own mobile phone, even uploading some to the internet himself.

But after hearing he had to quit a job as a lifeguard as a result of the conviction and was keen to change his ways, a judge imposed a community order.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police went to his home in January last year and seized the computer and his phone.

When they looked at the machines they found scores of pictures of child abuse had been downloaded from the internet.

On the computer they recovered 142 pictures, four in the worst category of child rape, showing youngsters between the ages of five and 13 years old.

Mr Shellard said the phone contained two movies, one of 13 minutes and the other of 27 minutes, which were also both in category A.

"The investigation discovered that on December 13 this defendant, using his internet address, uploaded indecent images of children," he said.

He had also used search terms like 'teen porn' on the machine and initially told police he had searched for legal material when he accidentally got the illicit images.

Dewar, of Winlaw Close, Shaw, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

John Lynch, defending, said as a result of his arrest his client had stopped using the internet and cancelled his broadband connection.

"This is the first time Mr Dewar has come to the court's attention and the police's and it has been an awakening experience for him," he said.

He said he had started working as a personal trainer after being forced to give up his job as a lifeguard following the conviction.

Although he only had one client at the moment he said he hoped to build up the business and was supported by his wife, who worked.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "These three offences relate to 142 images. Most of them, the overwhelming majority, are the lowest category, category C, so far as what they actually show.

"These were found on a computer and your mobile phone. A serious aspect of this is they contained to video recordings at category A.

"It is difficult to assess how long you were doing this but it was for at least a year.

"I have had to consider whether you have to go to prison for a short period of time in relation to what you have done.

"I have been persuaded by what I have read in the pre-sentence report and by the fact you are comparatively young, married, of no previous convictions, have a good work record and are working.

"All that means I don't have to send you to prison today. Such risks as you constitute towards others can be managed with in the community."

He imposed a 24 month community order and told him to complete an internet sex offenders treatment programme.

Dewar must also register as a sex offender for five years and will also have to comply with a sexual harm prevention order restricting his liberty.

An NSPCC spokesman in South West England said: “The youngsters in these pictures and films are the victims of sexual abuse and the harrowing experiences they endured for the images to be created should not be underestimated.

“For these images to be created and then shared, children endured unspeakable and horrific abuse. Dewar’s crimes have only helped fuel this disgusting crime which destroys children's lives.

“More needs to be done to tackle this vile trade and cut this material off at the source, but even then there is no guarantee that these images will ever disappear from the web and with every click, victims are re-abused.

“Hundreds of people are convicted in cases like this each year, and we believe urgent action is needed. If anyone is concerned a child is being abused, they should call our helpline on 0808 800 5000.”