AN AIR ambulance paramedic who tried to kill himself with stolen drugs after being caught with child porn, has walked free from court.

Raymond Taylor, who took the drugs from the Thames Valley Air Ambulance base at RAF Benson, near Wallingford, was given a community supervision order at Reading Crown Court on Monday.

Judge Gordon Risius said the defendant understood the damage caused to the victims in his videos and pictures.

Nadia Chbat, prosecuting, said Taylor, 36, admitted downloading 450 graphic images and videos of children.

At least 170 of the images were rated at level four and five – the worst levels. Miss Chbat added: “It was a form of escapism from his own life.”

After being arrested and sacked by South Central Ambulance Service, he then plotted to kill himself – but was discovered.