A "respected" community man has been sentenced by a judge for downloading 5,600 child porn pictures.

James Edward Morrison, 37, was caught out after police visited his Cumbria home and seized computer equipment.

Although 5,580 illegal images were deemed to be in the more minor category C, another 14 were classed in the highest category A bracket.

Morrison committed his criminal activity from 2012 to 2016.

He later admitted charges of making and possessing indecent child photographs and at Carlisle Crown Court today was given a community order.

This includes a rehabilitation requirement and attendance on a treatment course.

Morrison, of Salkeld Road, Penrith, received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders' register for five years.

"You were a man with a guilty secret," he was told by Judge Peter Hughes QC.

"You were of good character, in good employment, respected in the community. But at home, at night, you were doing sadly what too many others do and were accessing child pornography."