A FORMER councillor found with hundreds of indecent images of children and animals walked free from court today.

Warren Swaine served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Katesgrove Ward in Reading and as lead member for the environment.

On May 29, 2014, police raided Swaine's home in Church Street and removed three computers, one of which he immediately admitted he used to watch 'vintage porn'.

Forensic experts uncovered hundreds of sordid files, including one depicting two teenage boys and a 14 year-old girl in a sexual act, 98 photos of school girls on public transport and images involving horses, cows and chickens.

More than 30,000 files were found locked in an inaccessible cache, 3,000 of which had names such as 'Lolita'.

Sentencing at Reading Crown Court on July 6, Judge John Reddihough said: "The law is there to protect children from being exploited and the offences you have committed undeniably have involved the exploitation of those children.

"We all know that child pornography on the internet is unfortunately a massive industry, and the more that people download these images the more future exploitation of children is increased."

In 2011 Swaine's political career came to an end when a controversial Tweet about mixed race MP Chuka Umunna led to his party membership being revoked and his resignation from the cabinet.

Lisa Stewart, defending, told the court how the 53 year-old had been unemployed and living off savings since 2014.

"He is genuinely remorseful and his anxiety levels are extremely high," the lawyer said.

"Since a break down of a relationship he has been a lonely and solitary man."

Warren Swaine, of Church Street, Reading, admitted two counts of making indecent photographs and one count of possessing extreme photographs at an earlier date.

He was given a two year community order including a 35 day rehabilitation requirement. He must also pay £535 costs and follow a five year sexual harm prevention order.