A KIDDERMINSTER sex offender who download indecent images of children being sexually abused was told by a judge such actions made her blood ‘run cold’ and her heart 'sink'.

Edward Mason, aged 48, of Clent Avenue, admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and one of count of possessing a single extreme pornographic image when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (November 15).

Mason’s home in Kidderminster was raided by police on April 24 last year and police seized his computers, including Hitachi and Toshiba hard drives.

Police discovered 49 still images at two movies of category A, the most serious level which shows penetrative sexual activity involving children.

At category B there were 34 stills and no movies and at category C there were 163 stills and one movie.

Christopher Lester, prosecuting, said three images showed girls between the ages of five and 10 and the rest depicted girls aged between 12 and 16.

Police interviewed Mason twice and he gave full and frank admissions by his second interview.

Mr Lester said, aside from what made the images illegal in themselves, there did not appear to be any aggravating factors in the case.

He said the making of indecent images of children at category A attracted a sentencing range of between 26 weeks and three years in custody in the sentencing guidelines.

Nick Berry, defending, produced a number of references which were handed up to the recorder, Sally Hancox.

Mr Berry said his client posed a low risk of re-offending and worked at a mail processing unit, earning £14,000 a year.

Recorder Hancox said such images could not be described as child pornography because the child had 'no choice'.

She added: “These are images of children being sexually abused somewhere in the world by an adult or adults.

"That they face this type of abuse makes the blood run cold. That people would film it and photograph it lets the heart sink even lower.

"That people such as yourself choose, in your private time, to view images of this nature in simple terms beggars belief."

Mason was served with a three-year community order and must take part in an accredited programme run by specialist officers to address his sexual offending.

Recorder Hancox said the order would 'challenge' Mason and 'help' him in equal measure.

A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed which will last for seven years. This limits his contact with children and means he must notify his offender manager of any change in his circumstances, such as his address.

If he fails to do so he was told that this was a criminal offence in itself.

Mason must pay costs of £535. He must pay the sum not later than February 3 next year.