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A FORMER Gwent police inspector who pleaded guilty to possession of almost 2,000 indecent images of children has escaped prison.

Richard Wayne Harris, of Ammanford was issued with a three year community order at Swansea Crown Court.

During that time he will be required to undertake group therapy sessions and will be prohibited from accessing the internet anywhere other than his public library.

Under a further sexual offences prevention order he must not have a child under the age of 18 in his home without permission from the authorities.

Judge Keith Thomas warned the defendant that any breech of his orders would almost certainly result in a jail sentence.

Speaking on behalf of the prosecution, Angela Ricciardi said that police in Lancashire had issued a warrant for Harris’ arrest on May 17 last year following a UK wide police operation.

During a subsequent search of his property they found 1893 indecent photographs of children on his computer, 8 of which where recorded as Category 5 images - the most serious, and 237 as Category 4.