A WHITCHURCH man who used online chatrooms to share images of vile child abuse has escaped an immediate jail term.

Phillip Williams wept in the dock when he was told he would receive a suspended sentence for possession and distribution of sexual images of children, including some aged just one-year-old.

The 29-year-old had pleaded guilty to 11 counts, covering a two-year period, after his flat was raided by police on April 11 last year.

Rob Welling, prosecuting at Winchester Crown Court, said the period covered Williams’ “descent” into chatrooms, speaking to men “who professed an interest in young children”.

He said: “In particular, it was with a man called Alex who appeared to relate to Williams his abuse of his 10-year-old stepson.

“Williams and this man called Alex rather revelled in descriptions of what had been done and what may be done.”

Images that Williams received from Alex were then passed on to others, the court heard.

Williams and the man called Alex would either pretend to be children, talking “about what they would do to one another,” or talked about the abuse of the 10-year-old “stepson”, Mr Welling said.

He added: “It appears that the defendant gained pleasure from what it was that Alex had done.

“Of course, we do not know whether what was described is true, but then again neither did this defendant.”

Officers found scores of images and some videos on Williams’ iPhone, a computer tower and USB sticks, the court was told.

Priya Dave, defending Williams, said her client admitted what he did in an interview with officers, and entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.

Williams had also sought help for problems with drink and drugs, which she said might have contributed to his use of the chatrooms, he added.

Judge Keith Cutler said society would be better served if Williams was made to attend 35 hours of a sexual offender treatment course, rather than for him to go straight to jail.

He sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a sexual offences prevention order.

Williams, of Newbury Street, will remain on the sex offender register for 10 years.