Man sentenced over 'extreme' images of children and animals

Nicholas Hughes, 56, carried out the offences over eight years

A man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, for making and possessing indecent images of children and animals.

Nicholas Hughes, 56, of Trinity View, Caerleon, Newport, had more than 400 photos, including extreme pornographic images, while he was living in Wiltshire.

They were discovered on a number of devices.

Hughes was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years during his hearing at Salisbury Crown Court.

'These cases are often difficult'

The offences, which took place between 1 March, 2014 and 24 May, 2022, included possessing 250 Category A indecent photos of a child; possessing 78 extreme pornographic images with an animal and making 37 Category B indecent images of children.

Det Con Kerry Foster, of the Child Internet Exploitation Team at Wiltshire Police, led the investigation.

“These cases are often difficult for those involved and I would like to thank those in the court, as well as Hughes' family, for their patience and bravery of listening to his actions," he said.

"These offences dated back a number of years.

“Wiltshire Police will always take incidents of sexual assault, and other sexual offences, incredibly seriously.

"We have a dedicated team for investigations into individuals using the internet to upload and download indecent images of children and associated exploitation of children," he added.