AN Orford paedophile who had more than 1,000 sick images of children has avoided jail.

Viktor Smirnovs appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday to learn his fate.

He previously pleaded guilty to six offences including possessing indecent and prohibited photographs of children and making indecent photographs of children.

The court heard that there was evidence of Smirnovs, who is originally from Latvia but now lives in Watkin Street, Orford, downloading and storing the disgusting images between 2016 and 2019.

In total, Smirnovs was in possession of 807 indecent images of children.

And he was charged with making 690 indecent images of children and 117 videos – which were across all three categories – by downloading them.

He was also in possession of 54 extreme pornographic images and five prohibited images of children.

But despite this, the 38-year-old was spared jail.

Judge Anil Murray handed Smirnovs a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He is also subjected to 45 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and must complete 175 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Murray also imposed a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years – the same period for which he must also sign the sex offender register.