A MIDDLE-AGED man caught with scores of indecent images of children as young as three is a former Executive Director at J.P.Morgan in Bournemouth.

Pictures of Dylan Towns have been circulated on social media since his horrific crimes came to light when he appeared in court last week.

Dorset Police refused to release an image of Towns but pictures were posted by people who claim the public has a right to know what he looks like.

Dorset Police have now issued a custody image of Towns. 

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "The original request to release the custody image of Dylan Towns was declined in error, due to an incorrect assessment by an officer involved in the case.

"An additional assessment has now been conducted by a supervising officer and the custody image has been approved for release."

They added: "While we are aware of public comments on media websites and social media, it should be noted that this review had been requested internally due to the guidelines not being followed, rather than because of the publicity."

Towns, 45, of Warren Edge Road in Southbourne evaded jail despite Bournemouth Crown Court hearing that he was arrested after acting suspiciously outside a girls’ school.

Now a self-employed carpenter, the court heard he had been out running and had chosen a route which meant he was outside the school while girls were exercising.

Following his arrest, scores of indecent images were found at his home, most of children under the age of 10.

A total of 38 of the images were classified as Category A, the most serious category of all.

The court also heard Towns has a 25-year history of indecent exposure.

Daily Echo online readers have spoken out about the police decision to withhold Towns’ photograph.

One said: “Dorset Police feel that a convicted sex offender has a greater right to privacy than a drink driver.” Another said: “He lost all rights to privacy with his filthy actions.”

And a third added: “As a parent, we should be allowed to know what this guy looks like.”

Towns was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He is also subject to a six-month curfew, was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and is banned from working alone in a house with a person under 18.

The material had been downloaded between 2015 and 2016, the court was told.

J.P.Morgan confirmed he was a former employee of the bank who left in mid-2016 but declined to comment further.