A pervert who amassed more than 900 indecent images of children on his home computer has been jailed for three years. 

Daniel Gardner, 43, both saved and distributed the sick images of children to others who shared his unhealthy sexual interest in children, and he also chatted to his pals on the internet about the abuse of children, Carlisle Crown Court heard. 

The defendant, of Colville Terrace, Denton Holme, admitted 13 offences. They were: 

* 10 counts of making indecent images of children; 

* 2 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; 

* And 1 count of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard how Gardner committed the offences over 10 years, and that the youngest victim was thought to be aged about 11. 

After he was jailed, the detective who worked on the case spoke of the devastating impact of such crimes and warned against the twisted perception that looking at such images was in some way less appalling than other kinds of abuse. 

Detective Constable Libby Kemp said: “I welcome the custodial sentence and hope this sends a strong message to those people who think they can hide behind a computer screen or social media to sexually abuse children. 

“Gardner posed a real and immediate threat to children. 

“It can be a common misconception that accessing indecent images of children online is ‘just looking’ and not harming real children. 

“The reality is that every single indecent image and video is a real child being subjected to sometimes the most horrific acts of sexual abuse. 

“The fact that this has been recorded and put onto the internet creates a permanent record of this abuse, further damaging to the survivors of this most depraved crime against children.” 

The officer also warned offenders they are likely to be caught because police are both determined and technically equipped to track them down, wherever they are. 

She said: “Offenders may think that they are safe to sexually abuse and exploit children on social media sites and on webcam. 

“The idea that these children are somehow disposable because they are ‘online’ is a pathetic excuse used by those who choose to abuse and exploit some of the most vulnerable in society, children. 

Cumbria Police are committed to child protection and bringing to justice those who choose to engage in this activity.”  

Anyone who has been a victim of abuse can contact Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.