A MAN who told police that searching for images of child sex abuse had become a compulsion that got out of hand has been placed on a community order to help him tackle his issues.

Fiontan Padgraig Greaney, 30, told police how he was disgusted with himself and wanted help.

After his arrest he sought counselling from the Lucy Faithful Foundation.

Greaney, of Bryn Heulog in Mold, admitted making by downloading 55 movies and images at the worst category A, 126 at category B and 244 at category C between June 2014 and July of last year.

He also admitted possessing 29 prohibited images and movies.

The images were described by Judge Rhys Rowlands as “stomach-churning stuff”.

It was a stark choice between a relatively short prison sentence, which Greaney would find very unpleasant and might not be able to cope, and a more onerous three year programme under which he would be challenged and assisted, the judge told Mold Crown Court.

Greaney was placed on a three year community order with 50 days rehabilitation and ordered to complete a programme named Horizon aimed at such offenders.

He was fined £500 with £340 prosecution costs and ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for five years. A five year sexual harm prevention order was made.

Judge Rowlands said Greaney, who did not appear to function as a man of his age although he was highly intelligent, had pleaded guilty and had no previous convictions.

Barrister Karl Scholz, prosecuting, said a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s home address in July when computer equipment was seized and examined.

Defence barrister Simon Parry said Greaney, a man of no previous convictions, was suspended from his job.

The probation service wanted to put the onus on him to convince people he was motivated to address his behaviour.