An Oxfordshire clergyman has spoken about his "addiction to pornography" after escaping a jail sentence yesterday for downloading more than 100 child porn images.

Former Abingdon curate Richard Thomas, 56, admitted he had been addicted to adult pornography, but insisted he downloaded the indecent images of children accidentally.

He was given a three-year community order at Oxford Crown Court, after Judge Julian Hall said his previous good character and community work had helped him escape jail.

Speaking outside court, Thomas said: "I am very sorry for what has happened and ashamed.

"These 18 months have been absolute hell. It's really been one of the most painful things I've had to bear.

"I abhor child pornography, I still say that. It has felt like an addictive illness. I hope now that I can start rebuilding my life."

The court had earlier heard that Thomas, of Eason Drive, Abingdon, had downloaded 104 images - mostly of boys around puberty age.

Most of the images were categorised at the lower levels of explicitness, but three were at the most severe level.

Thomas had admitted 10 charges of making indecent images and two of possession on or before June 21, 2005, at a hearing last month.

Thomas said that in his former role as Oxford's diocesan communications officer, he had been part of a group researching concerns about Internet pornography - but added that his addiction had started later as a result of "severe stress".

He was suffering financial difficulties and dealing with the illness of his eldest son, who has been diagnosed with ME.

Peter Coombe, defending, said Thomas had written a letter to the court about his "sorry state".

He added that Thomas had set his computer so it would receive images sent to him by other members of the Internet chatroom he was using.

Mr Coombe said: "He was getting what he was given."

Sentencing Thomas to the community order and two years with the Thames Valley sex offenders project, Judge Hall said: "I haven't any inkling, not a suspicion, that your behaviour has been warped in a way which might have led to any physical abuse of any child.

"The number of images that you had was very small."

He added that Thomas deserved credit for getting rid of many of the images before the police were involved, and said he had received character references from many people, including the former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, and Sister Frances Dominica from Oxford's Helen House Hospice.

Thomas was ordered to pay £1,000 costs. He said he did not know what future role he might have in the Church, but he "hoped and prayed he would continue serving God."

Behaviour 'has damaged wider church'

Reverend Richard Thomas has been cricitised for having "a damaging impact" on other people by his behaviour.

Oxfordshire Diocese suspended Thomas and launched its own formal disciplinary proceedings after he was convicted last month of downloading indecent images of children from the Internet.

After yesterday's sentencing, the Acting Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, said: "It is a matter of great regret to us that a member of staff should be convicted of such serious offences.

"The Church of England expects the highest standards of personal behaviour from clergy and officers working on behalf of the Church.

"Richard's conduct has had a damaging impact not only in relation to those who have been harmed by the creation of pornography, but also on the Church and the wider community. We continue to pray for Richard, his family and all those involved in this case."

Thomas was given a three-year community service order, with a condition othat he complies with the Thames Valley Probation Services' sex offender treatment programme.

His name has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.