A disgraced editor has been spared jail for making indecent images of children.

Former Worcester Observer, Evesham Observer and Malvern Observer editor Rob George previously admitted three charges of making indecent photograph/pseudo photography of a child.

George, pictured, made one category A image – the worst level identified within the sentencing guidelines – two category B images and 36 category C images.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday, the 42-year-old was handed a three-year community order, ordered to sign onto the sex offenders register for five years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

Picture: SWNS

He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and must carry out a rehabilitation activity requirement for 50 days, as well as being told to pay costs of £250.

George, of Rowan Close, Bromsgrove, previously resigned from his post with the Bullivant Media titles after admitting the charges.

The sentencing hearing had to be adjourned from Worcester Crown Court last month for legal reasons after the court heard that George was “considering serious self-harm”.

The offences took place between March 7, 2014, and October 14, 2021, in Bromsgrove. The children concerned were aged between one and eight at the time.

Bullivant Media previously said in a statement: “The first the company knew about the case came after the proceedings in February at Worcester Magistrates Court.

“The company was shocked, saddened and disturbed by the situation. George resigned from his positions with the papers with immediate effect.

“Had he not, he would have faced disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct, in line with the company’s code of conduct”.