A former Maryport man has been given a suspended jail sentence after police found extreme and child pornography on his computer.

John Nugent, 57, was caught after police acting on a tip-off raided his former home in November 2014.

The computers they seized contained evidence he had viewed both extreme and child pornography, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

In court Nugent admitted a series of offences – six of downloading indecent images of children; two of possessing indecent photos of children; and two charges of possessing extreme pornography.

An analysis of his computers revealed that Nugent had viewed child pornography – but he told police he did this when his partner was out of the house and she knew nothing about it.

He told the officers that he had made a “big mistake” and that he would accept his punishment. In court, his barrister, Greg Hoare, said the defendant had learned his lesson.

Nugent had been on a course with a national charity called Stop It Now, which aimed to help reform adults interested in child pornography.

In addition to the jail term, which was suspended for two years, Judge Barbara Forrester imposed a two year supervision order, 200 hours unpaid work in the community, and a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Nugent, now living at Wantage, Oxfordshire, was put on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years. He must pay £2,500 prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

A spokeswoman for the NPCC pointed out that child pornography is about the sexual abuse of real children.

“The offences Nugent has pleaded guilty to are deeply disturbing,” she said. “Viewing child abuse images is not a victimless crime.

"These images feature real children who are being exploited and harmed and anyone who views them is fuelling a heinous industry which ruins lives.

“With every conviction we hope that victims of such crimes will see they will be listened to and that justice can be achieved.

Any adults who have concerns about the wellbeing of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

“Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111, or get help online at www.childline.org.uk”