A father of three was jailed for 12 months after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children, including those depicting rape.

Matthew Griffiths, 42, appeared ashen-faced in Worcester Crown Court as Judge Nicolas Cartwright sentenced him, highlighting the "appalling" nature of the images and the devastating impact on the victims.

Griffiths, who admitted to possessing 5 category A images, 10 category B images, 4 category C images, and 8 extreme pornographic images involving animals, was found to have previously been convicted of similar offenses in 2005.

The judge addressed Griffiths directly, stating, "As a father-of-three children, I invite you to think about the offending portrayed in the images that were seen on your equipment. The children shown in the images that you have an interest in were plainly subjected to the most appalling sexual abuse - and photographed while it went on. You would plainly be horrified if someone did such things to your children."

Judge Cartwright emphasized the emotional and psychological harm inflicted on the victims, noting that they would carry the burden of knowing that these images exist and are potentially accessible to others.

The court heard that the images were discovered on Griffiths' Samsung mobile phone when he was arrested in May 2022. Despite previous convictions and a three-year community order in 2005, Griffiths continued to engage in this illegal activity, demonstrating a lack of rehabilitation.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Cartwright imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting Griffiths' internet use and allowing police to monitor his devices. The defendant's phone was also ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.