A judge has urged internet giants such as Google to “take responsibility” and help the fight against child sex crimes.

His Honour Peter Hughes QC called for more rigorous enforcement of online searches made by those seeking to view sick images of youngsters being abused.

Judge Hughes did so as he sentenced James Morrison, 27, for downloading thousands of child porn images.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Morrison’s criminal activity spanned several years, between 2012 and 2016. It was uncovered when police visited his home and seized computer equipment.

Tim Evans told the court almost 5,600 illicit images were found. Although the vast majority were in the more minor “category C”, 14 pictures were classed in the highest category A bracket.

The court heard Morrison admitted being “intrigued” by images of children as young as seven or eight.

However, he decided ultimately to stop illegal downloads he conceded were “disgusting”.

Police discovered Morrison, of Salkeld Road, Penrith, had entered a series of telling internet search terms to hunt out child porn.

That led Judge Hughes to conclude that “companies such as Google” were not doing enough to prevent this happening.

“It is not beyond the wit of man to include devices on search engines which will prevent anybody accessing such material, and indeed alerting the authorities that they have tried to do so,” he said.

Morrison, who admitted four child porn charges, was given a community order. This includes a rehabilitation requirement and attendance on a treatment course. He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and must sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.