A PAEDOPHILE who took indecent images of a young girl before sharing them with like-minded people has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Brian Williams, 46, from Cwmbran, was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years by a judge.

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Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court, how the victim’s shocked mother “felt sick” when she discovered what had happened to her child.

Williams was also caught in an online sting last month when he believed he was chatting to a 12-year-old schoolgirl.

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It turned out to be a decoy and the defendant was arrested after he sent her sexually explicit photographs.

Williams, of Cadoc Road, Pontnewdd, pleaded guilty to making an indecent image of a child and distributing an indecent image of a child.

He also admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

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Karl Williams, representing him, said in mitigation: “The defendant is extremely remorseful.

“He’s a hard-working man who has worked many years as a cleaner, often anti-social hours.”

His barrister added: “It was a moment of madness. He made full and frank admissions of the problem he has.”

The judge, Recorder David Harris, told Williams: “It is clear you were developing an interest in child pornography.”

He said the defendant was capable of rehabilitation and he could therefore suspend his prison sentence.

Williams was jailed for 14 months, suspended for two years.

He was ordered to complete 35 sessions of an accredited sex offender programme and complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The defendant must register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and he was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order until 2031.

Williams must also pay a £156 victim surcharge.