A CLEANER and cook who shared child porn images with fellow paedophiles online has been given three years probation supervision.

Steven Worrall even downloaded indecent images after police had raided his Little Lever home and seized his laptop and phone, Bolton Crown Court was told.

The 26-year-old was also caught searching the dark web for similar materials, the court heard.

Defence counsel Helen Longworth said her client, who had no previous convictions, was now "disgusted" by his actions.

Worrall, of Arthur Street, pleaded guilty to six offences making indecent images, possession of prohibited images and possession of extreme pornography.

Passing sentence Judge Martin Walsh said: "This is a very troubling case."

But the judge accepted Worrall would only secure extended support to tackle his "entrenched behaviour" via a community sentence.

Worrall was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, limiting his internet usage and contact with youngsters, was also imposed.

The court heard some children shown in the images were as young as three.