Paedophile caught with 15,000 indecent images of children but he claims he 'didn't realise it was illegal'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA paedophile has escaped jail after being caught with more than 15,000 indecent images of children, some as young as five. Tony Collins, 49, who was also found to have children's kickers, claimed he 'didn't realise it was illegal'.
A judge showed mercy to Collins, who was said to struggle to read and write, and he was able to cycle away from court after his sentencing hearing. READ MORE: Matt Hancock 'discussed withholding learning disability hub if Bury MP opposed lockdown', leaked messages suggest A court heard Collins, from St Helens, was caught with over 15,000 indecent photographs of children, some as young as five, as well as female underwear.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that police officers, acting on intelligence, searched the 49-year-old's address on May 20, 2021, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Prosecuting, Sarah Holt, said during the search, a number of electronic devices were found, including a Samsung phone, a hard drive and a laptop, as well as a collection of female underwear, some of which were identified as 'children's knickers'.
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