A judge who spared a man jail after he was caught with extreme pornography, suggested he thank his solicitor.

Judge Peter Davies told Paul Grant Mumberson that it was only because of the "robust, erudite, articulate and persuasive submissions" of Fiona Turner that he was not being jailed.

Mumberson, 53, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday having previously admitted five charges at an earlier hearing.

These included admitted one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and four charges of possessing an extreme pornography image.

The offences were said to have come to light when police received information that illegal material was being accessed from his Workington home.

Computer equipment was seized in October last year and then analysed.

"The first of the five charges, to do with the child, was an animation - but a very realistic one," prosecutor Robert Wyn Jones told the court.

Fiona Turner, defending, put forward comprehensive mitigation for Mumberson who, the court heard, "does access (legal) adult pornography on a regular basis".

In addition, character references had been submitted in support of him.

Of the five illegal images that were found, Miss Turner told the court they had been downloaded but not viewed. In addition these were also the only prohibited pictures found during the examination of nine years' worth of material.

"He certainly hasn't enjoyed or watched these on his computer but must accept they were found there," she said.

Having considered Miss Turner's comments, Judge Peter Davies imposed a two-year community order.

Mumberson, of Bolton Street, Workington, must compete a rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours' unpaid work.

He was also made subject to the notification requirements for a period of five years.

"You have been very fortunate today to have the robust, erudite, articulate and persuasive submissions of your barrister, Miss Turner," said Judge Davies.

"I agree with her submissions and after this hearing has finished you will wait outside (the courtroom) and thank her."

But the judge told Mumberson: "These are repellant images."