A WINCHESTER paedophile who admitted possessing thousands of indecent images of children has been moved for fear of vigilante action, a court heard.

Brian Hemborough, 48, of Colson Close, Winnall, on July 9 was given a three-year community order with the condition he is supervised and attends 84 sessions at a sexual offenders’ programme.

But Hampshire Probation Service asked for his sentence to be revoked and then reimposed with the additional residence order so his home address be moved.

Edward Elton, for the probation service, said at Winchester Crown Court Hemborough details had been published in the Hampshire Chronicle: “The picture of his home life has come into greater focus and it is not suitable. He lives in an area of known vigilantism.”

Hemborough had admitted possessing 4,999 indecent images of children between October 2010 and November last year, was banned from unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, and put on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The court was told he had previous convictions for offences against young boys, and was jailed for 10 years in 1984 for buggery and indecent assault.

The application was not opposed by Hemborough’s barrister Nick Rowland.

Judge Jane Miller QC granted the application for Hemborough to move. The new address was not revealed in open court.