A CROWN court judge told an apologetic Egremont teenager who downloaded 40 images of children being sexually abused: "Do this again you're going to prison."

The warning was spelled out to 19-year-old Brandon Rowson, who earlier pleaded guilty to downloading the indecent images over a five-month period when he was 17. He admitted three offences, relating to images in various categories, including A, the most serious.

Julian Goode, prosecuting at Carlisle Crown Court, said the defendant downloaded the illegal images between July 16, 2020, and November 26 of the same year.

The offending came to light after police raided the defendant's home and seized a computer tower and a Samsung mobile phone.

An examination of the indecent images revealed the youngest abuse victim was aged three.

Judith McCullough, defending, agreed with a comment from Recorder Tony Hawks that the defendant, formerly of Sunnyside, Egremont, was a "pathetic and isolated" young man who needed help.

She said: "He is homeless as of Tuesday of next week... His family are currently supporting him in hotel accommodation in Blackpool.

"He hopes to move to Chester."

The barrister said Rowson, who has no previous convictions, was "very sorry" and "very ashamed." Miss McCullough added: "But he won't be back before the courts."

Recorder Hawks told the barrister: "If he does this again he's going to be locked up."

The judge then told Rowson why his offences were so serious.

He told him: "You have to understand that it's no good saying 'All I did was look at the images', or 'They were images someone else made', and 'What have I done wrong?' If there wasn't a market for this sort of filth, these images would not be made in the first place.

"You need to reflect on the damage - the horrific and catastrophic damage - caused to very young children by the making of these images.

"You must think about that."

Recorder Hawks said the sentence would aim to ensure that Rowson does not repeat the offence.

But the judge repeated his warning about the certainty of a jail sentence for any repeat of the offence, telling Rowson: "If you ever do this again, you are going to prison because you are a marked man.

"People who make or look at Category A images start with a prison sentence and the only issue is whether that sentence is served immediately or if it can be suspended.

"Im very conscious you are still very young and committed these offences when you were you were even younger."

The judge declined to impose an order restricting Rowson's use of the internet, adding: "But if you ever do it again, someone will find out, the Probation Service will tell the police and you will go to prison."

The defendant was given a three-year community order with a requirement to complete an accredited sexual offender treatment programme.

He must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, though the judge declined to impose unpaid work, saying: "He should not be exposed to other criminals."

Rowson will be on the Sex Offender Register for five years and subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.