A PAEDOPHILE was caught with child sex abuse images so disturbing a police officer described them as the “worst she had ever seen”.

Officers discovered the “distressing” material on a gold iPhone involving babies and toddlers being raped after raiding Richard Mannay’s home.

They also found 12 cannabis plants growing in his attic.

MORE NEWS

Andrew Davies, prosecuting, said the police were tipped off by a social media company over the indecent images.

He told Cardiff Crown Court: “Some of the children were very young indeed. Some were aged between one and three.

“A police officer described some of them as the worst she had ever seen.”

Mannay, 39, formerly of Barry, had more than 100 indecent images, 40 at category A, 30 at category B and 45 and category C.

He was also found with extreme pornography.

The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images.

He also admitted one count each of possessing extreme pornography and being concerned in the production of cannabis.

The offences took place on January 30, 2020.

Mr Davies said Mannay had previous convictions but none for sexual or drugs offences.

Derrick Gooden, mitigating, said: “The defendant is ashamed. They were distressing images.

“He is extremely embarrassed and sorry.

“The cannabis was for his own personal use.”

The judge, Recorder Timothy Brennan QC, referring to his pre-sentence report, told Mannay: “Even now, you tend to minimise the gravity of your behaviour.”

He was jailed for 15 months, suspended for two years.

The defendant must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, attend 29 sessions of a sex offender programme and complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Mannay, now of Clos Tyla Bach, St Mellons, Cardiff, must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order restricting his use of the internet until 2026.

The defendant was ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.