INDECENT pictures of children found on a man's mobile phone were the worst a police officer had even seen.

Devices belonging to Adam Dore were seized in 2019 with vile pictures of children as young as four later found on his mobile.

Officers went to visit Dore in his Great Harwood home after receiving information about an e-mail address linked to him, which had been used to download an indecent picture.

Dore was arrested and several devices were seized, with 16 category A (the worst kind) indecent images later discovered on his Samsung S9.

When interviewed, the 44-year-old told police that he had been sent various links after chatting to people online, which had led to him downloading the images.

He admitted accessing the internet for porn but denied having any interest in school children.

Defending his client, Mark Stuart said: “This offending took place, never mind over a week, but in fact over a very short period, when the defendant was without his partner and probably drinking too heavily.

“It is not without significance that it is now sometime since that event and there is no suggestion that the defendant has been involved in further activity.

“They are appalling images of which there is no doubt. But there is nothing to undermine what the defendant has said – that he received the images, looked at them and then deleted them because he did not like them.

Imposing a three year community order with conditions upon him, Judge Sara Dodd said: “The officer, as you know, said that they are the worst he has seen in his career. A lengthy career, the last four years having been involved in reviewing images of this kind.

“The fact that they are videos rather than still images makes it all the more serious.

“I have no doubt that you richly deserve to go to custody – but I have to consider a number of features.

“The sentencing guideline on sexual offences says that where there is sufficient prospect of rehabilitation, a community order with a rehabilitation programme may be a proper alternative to a short custodial sentence.

“Given what you have told the report, you have been remarkably open and frank. That gives me encouragement that you would take part in a meaningful way in a sex offender’s programme.”

As part of the order, Dore, of Town Hall Street, Great Harwood, must attend 30 rehabilitation requirement days and complete 150 unpaid work.

He will also be subject to notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order for five years.