A GRANDFATHER who sent indecent images of a child via an internet chat room was caught after he was reported by the recipient's mother.

Jeffrey William Cross, 58, of High-field Road, Blacon, was brought before the courts five years after he received unsolicited e-mails featuring indecent images of children.

Cross was caught after sending three images viewed as the least serious in terms of indecency, to an unknown party in Kent, whose mother became concerned.

His home was raided on September 7 last year, equipment was seized and 28 images were found on his computer.

Appearing before Chester magistrates yesterday, Cross admitted 16 counts of making indecent or pseudo photos of a child in November and December 2000 and between August and October 2001.

He also pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing an indecent photograph of a child in September 2001 and one count of distributing photographs in January 2004.

Prosecuting, Jayne Morris said: 'He admitted taking part in picture swaps in chat rooms.'

In a police interview, Cross explained how he would be offered naked pictures of male and females but would not necessarily know the age of the people featured.

'He doesn't appreciate the harm caused to the child by him down-loading and viewing the images,' said Ms Morris.

The court heard how police rate the level of indecency of images from one to five, five being the worst.

Cross was in possession of 18 level one images and a small amount of level two to four pictures, 28 of which had been saved to floppy discs.

Defending Mike Hemsley told the court Cross' wife was standing by him: 'Mr Cross is a man of good character. There's no record of anything like this at any time in his life. He has been married for 30 years and has a grandchild.'

He said: ' He wants to make it abundantly clear that in no way did he pay for these images. But when they came through he foolishly kept some of them.

'On one occasion he sent some to someone whose age he didn't know - three level 1 images of naked girls in erotic poses.

'He's ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated by it.'

Cross was ordered to serve a two-year community rehabilitation order and take part in a sex offenders programme. He also has to sign the sex offenders register for five years.