A FORMER Tesco worker arrested for child porn offences as he arrived for work had used the KiK app which a court heard on Thursday was regarded previously as a “safe-haven” for paedophiles.

Caernarfon crown court was told the Canadian-based social media firm - criticised by a British judge last year for hindering a police probe and which has featured in other cases - had more recently recognised its responsibility for safeguarding children.

Emlyn Williams, 60, of the Caernarfon area, admitted distributing and making indecent images of children.

He was jailed for 21 months and a ten-year sexual harm prevention order made. He has to register as a sex offender.

Prosecuting barrister Mark Connor said last June police in North Wales had been informed by the National Crime Agency that a KiK user had uploaded child porn.

“KiK has previously been somewhat of a safe-haven for those trading in child abuse material,” the prosecutor remarked.

Officers went to a Tesco store at Caernarfon and arrested Williams.

He had 3,156 images and 1,430 videos. But another 16,900 picture or movies were uncategorised although they contained child porn.

Mr Connor said the sexually abused children were as young as a few months old.

Williams, who had no previous convictions, had described his child abuse chat as “banter” and a way to get more filth from app users.

He’d also exchanged images on WhatsApp. Two smartphones were confiscated by the court.

Defence counsel Simon Killeen said Williams regretted what he’d done and confessed in police interview. He was motivated to address his behaviour and had lost his job.

Mr Killeen said Williams was a “very sad figure” and jail would be a “severe punishment” for him.

Judge Huw Rees told Williams the children were “real victims” and vulnerable.

“Showing any interest in such images creates a demand for further abuse of children,” he added.