A CWMBRAN man who said, “I may as well be dead” when police officers found indecent images of children at his home has avoided jail.

Mervyn Baker, 64, of Clos Cae Nant, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday for having photographs and videos of boys and girls.

Officers from the police high tech unit arrived at Baker’s home on March 24 and seized various computer items.

Baker told the officers he had adult images but, while still at his home, they looked on his hard drive and found the indecent images.

The photographs included 15 photos and two videos in category A – the most serious classification – as well as 16 photos and one video in class B. There were also 19 category C photos.

Police showed Baker one of the category B photographs and he said somebody had sent it to him.

The court heard how he went on to say his life was over.

Baker said: “Why did I do it, I may as well be dead.”

Baker was arrested and taken to Ystrad Mynach police station where officers said he was very apologetic.

He pleaded guilty to all three offences.

In court Judge Keith Thomas sentenced him to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months. He must also complete an internet sex offender treatment programme which is made up of 35 sessions.

Judge Thomas told him: “These are serious offences because the children in the photographs are real children who have been abused.”

The judge also ordered Baker’s hard drive to be forfeited and said he must pay £100. A five-year sexual harm prevention order was also made.