A leading Jehovah's Witness who was branded an "evil monster" by his own sister was spared prison today, despite being convicted of 24 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on children - one of which was committed on an 18-month-old baby.

Michael Porter, 38, of Barnet, north London, was handed a three-year community rehabilitation order despite having admitted to using his trusted position as a ministerial servant in the movement to indulge his habits as a paedophile.

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Tom Crowther said he had opted not to jail him after hearing he had undergone therapy. As well as the community order, Porter was banned from working with anyone under the age of 18 and put on the Sex Offenders Register.

In a highly unusual move, however, Porter's sister Tina Hughes, 40, spoke out against the ruling, which she described as "ludicrous", and warned that her brother would commit further offences now he was back in society.

"He (Mr Porter) blamed his childhood for the attacks, which was a lie, but the judge ate it all up," Ms Hughes, from Clevedon, said.

"I just broke down in tears when the judge said he wasn’t going to jail. The whole courtroom went quiet. No-one could believe it.

"I can’t believe the judge thinks he is safe to be allowed out on the streets. He won’t stop. There’s no justice for the victims. No closure. He had no right to leave that court room. He has lost nothing. He’s just not human. He’s an evil monster. He can’t have a soul."

The court heard that Porter was a respected member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Portishead and Clevedon, when he committed his crimes.

Parents trusted him to look after their children, and Porter regularly babysat for youngsters, took them away on holidays and invited them for sleepovers at his home.

"He was in a very high position. Children loved him and parents worshipped him," Ms Hughes said. "They thought he was God’s son on earth. He was the last man they would ever suspect of doing something so horrific.

"He abused dozens of children and even a baby. But he’s still free."

Mr Porter's current Jehovah's Witness Church has stood by him despite confessing to his crimes, according to his sister. He is thought to be an elder at the Mill Hill Kingdom Hall, in Barnet, north London.

Wayne Baker, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset police, said that it was "too early to say" whether the force would be appealing against the judgment.

"There are a large number of victims to consider, many of whom just want to draw a line under the whole matter," he said.

The Crown Prosecution Service was not prepared to comment at this stage, but it is understood police officers were disappointed that only four victims were prepared to make statements against Porter.

A source said: "One of the problems was that most of the victims were not prepared to make statements or give any kind of evidence. The offences took place a long time ago and most of them seemed keen to put it all behind them."

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