A SUFFOLK Scout troop assistant who took pictures of three children after blindfolding them and tying their hands has walked free from court after a judge decided he needed help rather than punishment.

Ryan Jameson, 21, took the youngsters to Chilton Fields and Edgecomb Road in Stowmarket to photograph them and later put the pictures on his computer, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When police searched his computer they also found a number of indecent images of children stored on it including pictures of children who had been gagged, blindfolded and bound, said Godfried Duah, prosecuting.

He told the court that 25 of the images were at level five, the most serious grading for child pornography and four were at level one, the least serious. He said police had also found one level five moving image.

Jameson, of Hall Road, Stowmarket, admitted making indecent images of children and possessing indecent images of children on or before December 15, 2009. He also admitted battery in relation to three children under 16.

After hearing that Jameson suffered from a medical condition which resulted in behavioural and emotional issues Judge Patrick O’Brien said he wanted to give Jameson as much assistance as he could and sentenced him to a three-year supervision order.

He also made him the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years and directed that he should sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

“You were directing your spare time activities in a completely wrong manner and you have got to change. You have got to find healthier activities,” said the judge.

Steven Dyble, for Jameson, said his client recognised the seriousness of what he had done and was aware he could receive a custodial sentence.

He said people with Jameson’s illness suffered from low self-esteem and could become withdrawn. They also often sought out people younger than themselves which was what Jameson had done. He added that Jameson felt remorse for what he had done and would benefit from support and supervision rather than a prison sentence. He disputed the number of indecent images found on Jameson’s computer and put the total at nearer 15 than 30.