A MAN who engaged in online discussions about child abuse over his smart phone has been spared jail.

Mark Strange conducted the vile conversations with others while also downloading films and pictures of youngsters being raped.

But after hearing the 40-year-old was already getting help for his problem and had lost his marriage, a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police went to his Royal Wootton Bassett home in August last year to arrest him.

She said they had received information that he had been using a secure communication app called chatstep to 'engage in discussions about child abuse'.

The contact had included discussions including references to one of the participant's daughters, the court was told.

Despite officers taking a number of electronic devices they only found illicit images stored on his Samsung Galaxy mobile phone.

Of the 15 files she said there were two movies and three stills at the worst level, one still in the middle range and nine in the lowest bracket.

"When he was interviewed Mr Strange said he found it hard to explain. He said it started a couple of years ago," she said.

"He was using a chat site where users were talking about their wives, then chatstep discussing children.

"He was sent movies and pictures. Because of the discussion he said he had some indication of what might come up."

Strange, of Shakespeare Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Sam Arif, defending, said after his arrest he went to see his doctor and has been receiving counselling for his problems for the past year.

At the time he was having a difficult time and his marriage, which has now ended, was in break down.

She said though he has managed to keep his job he has lost his marriage he will now have to register as a sex offender.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "You have sought help from your GP and you have had extensive counselling.

"There is a clear picture you are showing the first signs of being motivated that this sort of behaviour does not happen again.

"Unusually for someone in your position a sexual offenders' treatment programme is available to you.

"The presentence report urges me to deal with you by way of a community order. That is not appropriate.

"The sentencing guidelines are clear a custodial sentence must be applied. Because of the factors that I have mentioned already and importantly because of the quantity of images involved it seems to me the proper sentence is to impose imprisonment but to suspend it."

He imposed a 12 month jail term suspended for two years with 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and a sexual offenders treatment programme.

Strange will also have to abide by a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, the same period for which he must register as a sex offender.