An internet paedophile who tried to persuade children to play 'strip Twister' online was caught with more than 600 indecent images of children at his home. 

But despite packing a bag for jail, he was spared prison at his sentencing today.

Kevin Hollingshead, 51, was found with 168 indecent images and videos of the most extreme kind when police seized his Apple laptop earlier this year.

Other images found included an adult female giving oral sex to a horse and a woman having sex with a dog.

Hollingshead, of Portland Avenue in New Malden, attended Kingston Crown Court for his sentencing today dressed in black trousers and a grey sweatshirt – carrying a large overnight bag.

But Judge Michael Hunter told him: “Mr Hollingshead you have been given a chance today.

"I have given you that chance because in your case this is the most effective way.

“But if you do not take that chance you are not likely to ever get a chance like this again.”

The court heard Hollingshead admitted having indecent images on his computer when officers from the public protection unit turned up to search his home on May 8.

When officers asked whether he had any offensive images on his iPhone he told them: “Yes I have a picture of my penis”.

He added he did not know why.

Officers seized Hollingshead’s laptop, iPhone and USB sticks.

They found Hollingshead had searched for “pre-teen parties”, “advanced chat pre-teens” and “pre-teen up skirt”.

He had also engaged with children online asking them to play “strip twister”, the court heard.

Defence counsel Hayley Brickel argued Hollingshead, who has no previous convictions or warnings, would not be able to rehabilitate or may reoffend later if he were sent to prison with other such offenders.

She said: “This is somebody who is going to be monitored by the authorities for a very, very long time.

“Mr Hollingshead is very sorry for what he has done. He would never repeat such actions.”

She showed Judge Hunter a letter from his neighbour indicating good character.

But prosecutor Robert Evans said: “The indictment indicates attempts to make contact with other children, an attempt to take his offending to another level.”

Judge Hunter gave Hollingshead credit for his early guilty plea and handed him a two year suspended sentence for nine counts of possessing indecent images.

He will also be made to take an internet sexual offending programme and was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.