A CLERGYMAN who claimed he accidentally downloaded more than 100 child porn pictures after developing an addiction to adult pornography escaped jail today.
The Rev Richard Thomas, 56, downloaded 119 images of children as part of a "pornographic library" that he developed while under "considerable stress" in his work.
Thomas, of Eason Drive, Abingdon, was a curate for Abingdon wth Shippon from 1976 to 1980, before serving as a rector in Hampshire for eight years.
He became Oxford's diocesan communications officer in 1989 and was a key adviser to the former Bishop of Oxford, Rt Rev Richard Harries. He was suspended last year after he was charged.
He was ordered to complete a three-year community punishment during which he will attend the Thames Valley Sex Offender Project.
Thomas, of Abingdon, originally pleaded not guilty to 17 charges of making indecent photographs and three of possessing them, saying he had downloaded the material "inadvertently". He later changed his plea to guilty.
He was sentenced today at Oxford Crown Court on 12 charges of making and possessing the images. The remainder were ordered to lie on file.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article