A WARDEN at a top security prison in Evesham had indecent pictures on his computer when it was checked by police, a court heard.

Anthony Lowe, who was on the staff of Long Lartin, near Evesham, downloaded images of girls aged 12 and 14, said prosecutor Kevin Grego.

But the offence had cost him his wife and his job, said his barrister Makkan Shoker at Worcester Crown Court. He was also heavily in debt.

Lowe, aged 44, and now living in Stockton-on-Tees, was given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years. He must also undertake a 20-day rehabilitation programme with the probation service.

He was ordered to sign on the sex offender register for seven years. Recorder Adrian Feest QC also made a sexual offence prevention order for five years.

Mr Grego told the court that the offences showed that Lowe had an unhealthy sexual interest in young people but there was no suggestion that there had been contact.

The recorder said none of the 11 images were of the most serious category. But people viewing them were encouraging others to put young people at risk in their manufacture.