A man who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children has been given a three-year community order
David Nowak, 42, viewed and catalogued both still and moving images of children over a period of more than six years.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Nowak had a total of almost 700 photographs and movies on a laptop and external hard drive. Some 272 of these were said to be classes in category A - the most serious.
Nowak - said to have a low IQ - was sentenced today having previously admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of children, and one possession offence.
Judge Peter Hughes QC considered a raft of background information - including a psychological report - before concluding the best way of protecting the public was a 36-month community order, the longest he is allowed to impose.
Nowak, of Jollybeard Gate, Alston, was also given a 35-day rehabilitation requirement.
He must sign the sex offenders' register for five years, and made subject to the terms of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
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