A former PCSO who downloaded sick videos of children being sexually abused has avoided jail.
Colvin Summerfield, 40, had worked as a police community service officer for GMP.
But it was discovered that he had indecent images of children on his computer, with some of those depicted being aged as young as seven.
He had also made 'horrible' searches online including for 'rape, 'raping' and '14yo girl'.
Summerfield, from Salford, who said he had also worked for the careers service, tried to blame someone else but was unanimously convicted after a trial.
He still 'completely denies' the offences, and is currently unemployed having previously left the force.
"Your days working as a PCSO and working with the careers service are definitely behind you," a judge told him.
Police went to his home in March 2018 and seized his computer, finding 18 category A indecent images, the most serious category, as well as seven category B images and 13 category C images.
The images had been created between May 2013 and January 2015, and featured children aged from seven to 17, Manchester Crown Court heard.
'Computer savvy' Summerfield also had file sharing software, prosecutor Michael Lavery said.
At trial he tried to blame someone else for the images, but was convicted on what the judge described as 'overwhelming' evidence.
Summerfield, who had no previous convictions, avoided jail after the judge said he could be 'better managed in the community'.
Despite his continued denials, the probation service said they were 'confident' they can work with him.
"The images of course are images of the sexual abuse of children, some as young as seven years old," Judge Hilary Manley told Summerfield.
"You had file sharing software, you had accessed these over a long period of time."
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and must complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
A ten year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, to supervise his use of the internet.
"This is your chance to ensure you work with the probation service, so you can reduce your risk entirely," Judge Manley told him.
"But if you don't work with them, to prison you will go."
Defending, Daniel Calder said people submitting references on Summerfield's behalf expressed their 'surprise' at his conviction.
He said that 'coming to terms' with committing offences can be a 'dynamic process'.
The judge accepted there had been 'unacceptable' delays in the case, and that Summerfield had not committed any further offences since 2018.
Summerfield, of Sycamore Court, Salford, was found guilty of three counts of possessing indecent images.
He will have to sign the sex offender's register for 10 years.
