A father became addicted to child pornography, amassing more than 1,000 obscene images – including one of a six-month-old baby.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Neil Cameron McIntosh, 51, of Stanley Road, Brampton, wept as his defence barrister described how he had now lost everything as a result of his crimes, including his job, his marriage and his home.

Cameron McIntosh admitted nine pornography offences, including downloading indecent images of children, distributing them, and having extreme porn.

Incredibly, he used someone else’s computer to continue looking at child porn even after he was arrested.

Judge Peter Davies jailed Cameron McIntosh for three and-a-half years.

In the early part of last year, the court heard, police seized the defendant’s computer and quickly found evidence of his perverted addiction.

He claimed he accidentally stumbled on the images, commenting that he should have reported it to the police.

He later admitted to collecting such images but insisted he was not sexually attracted to children.

“That doesn’t wash with me,” said Judge Davies.

What made the offences so serious, said the judge, was the scale of images found: more than 1,000 still and moving pictures, mostly children aged under 10. The judge said the defendant should understand that such images were taken by “evil” individuals to trade globally.

“They trade in sexual activity and abuse so that people like you can watch them for money and for profit,” said the judge. Cameron McIntosh not only viewed the images; he also distributed them to like-minded individuals.

After launching their investigation, police gave the defendant bail on July 9 last year, yet on October 24, he again downloaded more indecent images, undermining his claim to feel remorse.

Police said Cameron McIntosh had about 3,000 indecent images, including 366 of the most serious category.

Calling the addiction “disgusting”, the judge questioned whether the defendant had, as he claimed, learned his lesson.

Keith Thomas, mitigating, said: “He’s lost everything: his wife of the best part of 30 years, and mother of his three children, who is in court to support him, has made it clear as a result of these matters the marriage is completely over.

“The matrimonial home is up for sale. He’s lost his home, and his family, both of which were very dear to him. He also realises the distress he has caused to the whole of the family.”

When told that he would be remanded in custody after his later offences, the defendant commented: “It’s where I deserve to be.”

Cameron McIntosh had also lost his administration job with the The North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, he said. “It’s clear he feels remorse,” added the barrister.

The judge commented that he was pleased that employment was finished, given the nature of Cameron McIntosh’s offences. As well as the jail term, the judge said the defendant’s name will remain on the Sex Offender Register for life and nor will he ever be allowed to work with children.