A university graduate was caught with thousands of illegal images of children - including one of a baby.

Over several years, porn addict Haowei Ma catalogued illicit still and moving pictures which police estimated could have totalled almost 100,000.

Carlisle Crown Court heard these could not all be officially categorised due to the significant resources that would involve.

But more than 11,000 were given a recognised rating. And 1,723 were classed in category A - the most serious.

Ma, 26, was sentenced on Friday for criminal conduct which also included distribution of porn pictures to others.

He had admitted charges of making category A, B and C indecent photographs of children, and possession of the illegal material.

Beccy McGregor, prosecuting, said: "Back in September last year police received information that the defendant's computer had been used to share indecent images."

Officers visited Ma, who had "immediately" admitted his wrongdoing. Electronic equipment was seized and examined, revealing illegal child porn on five devices.

There were more than 6,000 category B still and moving pictures, and in excess of 3,000 in category C.

The images included "a child as young as one-year-old", said Ms McGregor.

Ma told police his file sharing use began when he was aged 17. He had tried to stop but was unable to "because of urges".

Paul Tweddle, defending, gave mitigation for Ma, a man with no previous convictions who was in full-time work having obtained a university degree.

Ma had "extremely supportive" parents, his family hailing from Malaysia.

"He would otherwise appear to be a perfectly respectable member of society," said Mr Tweddle.

"He is undertaking counselling. It is an addiction that has to be dealt with. He has taken positive steps so far."

Judge Barbara Forrester told Ma, of Denton Street, Carlisle: "It is very much to your credit you have already taken steps to overcome these problems yourself."

In view of this response and his remorse, Judge Forrester suspended a 16-month prison sentence for two years.

Ma must complete a sex offender treatment course and a rehabilitation requirement.

He also has to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years, and abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.