A MAN who admitted making 520 child porn images but allegedly had 324,000 uncategorised pictures and movies was told by magistrates on Friday he had been “very close” to imprisonment.

Ziyad al-Dhubai, 39, on benefit, of Grange Road, Rhyl, received a two-year community order with 300 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity. The court at Llandudno ordered the confiscation of a laptop and computer tower.

In addition, a five-year sexual harm prevention order was made and he must register as a sex offender for the same period and pay £170 costs.

“You must work with probation,” court chairwoman Ann Dickinson told the defendant. She said he’d been very close to going into custody.

The downloaded child porn had been in the lowest category of seriousness.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said police had arrested al-Dhubai after a search at his home last May.

Girls aged seven and above were in the material discovered.

Defence solicitor Alex Fitzgerald said there was genuine remorse and his client had no previous convictions.