A MAN has been sentenced for possessing indecent images of children just weeks after his paedophile father was jailed for a string of sex offences.

Russell Hodgson, 34, admitted to having the pictures after police searched his address in Cross Cottages, Boxted, in November last year.

Hendrika Yatam, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, said Hodgson “didn’t realise” the images were indecent.

He said: “A number of computer exhibits were seized from the address, 13 category C images were found on a mobile phone belonging to the defendant.

“He was subject to an interview in relation to that, he said to police during interview he has pictures on his phone of ‘pretty girls’ and he didn’t realise they were indecent.

“They are primarily females, the youngest between the ages of three to four years, asleep with no clothes on - naked.

“Some are of children of 12 to 14 years of age, naked or just dressed in underwear.

“In terms of previous matters, the defendant appears before you a man of good character, with no relevant previous convictions of a similar nature.

“I would make an application for a sexual harm prevention order.”

Raph Pigott, mitigating, described Hodgson as a troubled man undergoing treatment for severe depression.

When magistrates were discussing sentencing, the case of Colin Hodgson, Russell Hodgson’s father, was brought up.

Hodson senior, 61, of Newman Drive, Boxted, was jailed last month after he admitted five counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13.

Mr Pigott said: “It is important we separate Mr Hodgson’s father from him.

“The devices found in relation to his father and the more serious matters are nothing to do with Mr Hodgson junior.

“Mr Hodgson senior received a sentence of seven years imprisonment at crown court five or six weeks ago.”

Magistrates handed Hodgson junior a community order, instructing him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

He must also carry out 50 rehabilitation days while a sexual harm prevention order was imposed lasting five years.

After Hodgson senior’s hearing, police said he had shown no remorse for his actions.

Tens of thousands of images and a number of videos were found on his devices with a large majority of them being category A, the most serious category.

As investigators went through each image and video, it became clear Hodgson had photographed himself taking advantage of a child.

READ MORE: SICK DAD COLIN HODGSON JAILED FOR ABUSING CHILDREN