A MAN from Anglesey who was found to have more than 50 indecent images of children on his mobile phone has been spared jail.

Ashley Edwards, 31, of Stad Y Canon, Amlwch, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court) today (July 19).

He had previously admitted three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

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Prosecuting, Elen Owen told the court that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) made a initial report to North Wales Police about Edwards.

It had come to NCMEC’s attention that Edwards had been engaging in Twitter conversations claiming to have abused girls, and asking other users to trade images of children with him.

A search warrant was executed at his home on August 10, 2023, which resulted in his phone being seized.

Analysis of the phone revealed that, since January 21, 2022, Edwards had been storing indecent images of children on it.

Of these images, eight were “category A” (the most serious category), 13 were category B, and 34 category C.

The pictures were said to predominately depict females aged between eight and 13 years old.

Edwards was interviewed twice by police regarding this, but answered no comment on both occasions.

Defending Edwards, who had no previous convictions, Jade Tufail said he was “visibly terrified” by the prospect of immediate custody.

Ms Tufail said he feels “remorse” and “regret” for his actions, and had “hitherto prided himself on being a hard-working, family man”.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts told Edwards he appeared to have had a “deep-seated” interest in children, and had been an “active participant” in obtaining this material.

“We’re not talking about a one-off incident,” Judge Petts told him.

He made Edwards subject to a six-month curfew, prohibiting him from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am.

Edwards will also complete 45 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements, and a 45-session programme.

His phone was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed, while Edwards will adhere to sex offenders register notification requirements, and a sexual harm prevention order, for 10 years.

He is also to pay a statutory surcharge.