A man from Radcliffe was found to have searched for hundreds of “revolting” indecent images of children and sex acts between humans and animals over several years.

Thomas Newton, 37, was only stopped in his tracks after being arrested by police in early 2021, having prolifically downloaded and searched for the horrific images since September 2016.

Newton’s crimes were laid out before Minshull Street Crown Court at a sentencing hearing this week.

His Honour Judge Mark Savill said: “I’m afraid you have not only lost your way morally and personally but also legally and criminally.”

Turning to the subject of the images, he added: “I do not need to describe them you and I know they are revolting.”

Prosecutor Sophie Kenny told the court how Newton, of Ashton New Road, Radcliffe, had used two Dropbox accounts to upload the indecent images to, which police discovered were both linked to him.

In total, he was found to have searched for 1,486 extreme pornographic images of humans having sex with animals and 174 cartoon images of children being exploited.

Ms Kenny explained that Newton had only been stopped after police arrested him in January last year after which he refused to answer questions when interviewed by officers on January 21 and 22.

The officers found that Newton had deliberately been using software to allow him to search for images like these anonymously.

He pleaded guilty before magistrates on April 20 this year.

Mark Friend, defending, explained that his client had sought counselling for his behaviour and that he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity despite the length of time it has taken to bring him before the courts.

Judge Savill also acknowledged that given the images of children were not real but rather were "in effect cartoons”, this made the offence less “gravely serious” than if they had been actual children.

Mr Friend also argued that Newton’s “horrific” background, which cannot be detailed for legal reasons, had deeply affected him.

As such, Judge Savill decided not to jail Newton but instead made him subject to a two-year community order including 25 days of rehabilitation days.