A Belfast marketing executive who downloaded “vile and frankly disgusting” images and videos of children being sexually abused has narrowly avoided going to jail.

Instead, Matthew Booth, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, was handed a combination order of three years on probation and 75 hours of community service.

The court heard that 87 “vile and disgusting” files were discovered after police seized Booth's mobile phone.

A judge told Booth that the offences were serious but recognised his remorse and lack of previous convictions. He warned him that any further offending would result in an immediate custodial sentence.