Judge tells school caretaker found with 600 child abuse images he is 'taking a risk' as he lets him walk free

A judge warned a primary school caretaker he was "taking a risk" by giving him a community sentence for possessing more than 600 indecent images of children.

Judge Huw Rees let 55-year-old Michael Pendry walk free from Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard 658 vile images were found on his phone, iPad and home computer.

When interviewed by police, Pendry told officers it was 'morbid curiosity' that led him to search for the images online.

Judge Rees told Pendry that had his offences involved children at the school he would have received a "substantive prison sentence" but the he would "risk" sentencing Pendry to a community order.

Pendry was sentenced to a three-year community order including completing a sex offenders treatment programme.

He was also made the subject of a sex offender prevention order for five years.