A PAEDOPHILE football referee who had hundreds of child porn images has been spared prison time.

Robert Myhill, who was on the books at Sussex Football Association, had more than 400 pictures of youngsters on his laptop and pleaded guilty to three different counts of the offence.

However, the 32-year-old, of Chatham Place in Brighton, escaped with suspended sentences for the crimes.

Myhill was arrested on February 10 last year. He pleaded guilty to all three counts on November 28.

Myhill had 156 photographs branded in category A – the most serious in the grading system.

For that offence, the disgraced referee was given an 11-month prison term suspended for two years.

The second count against Myhill was for making 121 category B images of children.

He received an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

Thirdly, Myhill was found with a further 125 indecent images of children, this time category C.

For this, he was given a six-month sentence, again suspended for two years.

Myhill will be on the sex offenders’ register for the next ten years, and must undergo a 60-day sex offender treatment programme.

The treatment programme aims to promote healthy sexual functioning in high-risk offenders.

He must also take part in a 20-day rehabilitation programme.

Myhill also has a sexual harm prevention order imposed against him for the next decade.

Police seized Myhill’s laptop in the wake of his arrest and he must make an application if he wants to get it back in the future.

Ken Benham, chief executive of Sussex County FA, said: “Upon receipt of notification of the conviction of Robert Myhill, the matter was immediately referred to the FA’s safeguarding team in accordance with the FA’s policy and procedures.”

When The Argus asked whether Myhill is still working as a referee for the association, Mr Benham refused to comment.

He also said he does not know if Myhill has ever refereed children’s matches.

Mr Benham added there “may be further comments once decisions have been reached”.

The Argus understands Myhill’s most recent match refereeing was in the past two weeks.

A mother who lives in the same area as Myhill said she was “extremely concerned” there is a paedophile in the vicinity after we told her the news yesterday.