A former parish councillor has been jailed for 18 months for possessing indecent images and attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity.

Kevin Craske, of Providence Place, Briston, has also been placed on the sex offenders' register for ten years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Craske admitted possession of indecent images of children and two charges of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child. He also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images.

Craske was a member of Briston Parish Council in north Norfolk for many years.

Norwich Crown Court heard that police found more than 400 indecent images of children as well as some videos and nine extreme pornographic images, which were linked to his phone.

Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said among the images found there were 132 images and 16 videos in the most serious category.

Philip Farr, for Craske, said he had mental health difficulties at the time of the offences.

'It happened at a time of severe emotional stress,' he said.

'He is eager to address what may have been the cause of the offending behaviour. He's keen to explore further what might have caused him to offend in this way.'

Jailing him, Judge Anthony Bate said he deserved credit for his guilty pleas.

He said the matter had been delayed for a mental health assessment and accepted Craske was suffering from anxiety and depression at the time.

He said that the offences were so serious they could only be marked by custody.

Speaking on behalf of all council members, Neil Fippard, chairman of Briston Parish Council, said: 'For a number of years Kevin Craske was a member of Briston Parish Council. Although there were times when his actions and statements were controversial at no time did any member of the council think that there were any other hidden criminal issues.

'The council was shocked to find out that Mr Craske had been accessing pornographic sites and is pleased at the result of the trial and that this case is finally over.

'On a personal level Briston Parish Council would like to express sympathy to his family and relations.'

After the case Craske's wife Sandra said: 'I reject any offer of sympathy from the parish council.'