A SEX offender breached an interim court order just days before he was due to be sentenced for downloading indecent images of children.

Daniel David Price came clean as soon as police called at his home address in Biscop Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, to seize his mobile phone and computer equipment, on suspicion he had been accessing such material.

Durham Crown Court heard that Prince told the officers: “I’m sorry, it was a long time ago. The indecent images, I just came across them.”

Price, then 26, admitted three counts of making indecent images and one of possessing prohibited images of children when he appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates, in late March.

He was sent for sentence to the crown court and made subject of interim registration as a sex offender and Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

His sentencing hearing, at the crown court on May 18, was told the store shelf stacker developed his unhealthy interest after becoming almost reclusive following an unprovoked attack in 2012.

He began to access adult pornography, but moved on to images and footage featuring children, to which he admitted he was sexually aroused.

The court was told he was “very ashamed and embarrassed” about it, but that he had been “open and honest”, having sought counselling to address his problem.

It was claimed he no longer viewed images of that type.

On that basis, Judge Christopher Prince said although such offending crossed the custody threshold, it was “of significance” that Price made immediate admissions and had taken steps to address the issue.

It resulted in a 12-month prison sentence, being suspended for two years, during which Price was ordered to engage in an accredited programme, to help overcome his predilection.

Price was also made subject of restrictions under the terms of the SHPO, as well as sex offender registration, both for ten years.

He was warned by Judge Prince that any breaches would result in him going to prison, “for a significant length of time”.

But he was back before the court today, appearing via video link from Durham Prison, having admitted breaching the interim SHPO and distributing an indecent image of a child, both on May 12, six days before the sentencing hearing.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said Price made full admissions in his latest police interviews.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said the starting point for such offences appeared to be in the range of three years,

But he agreed to adjourn sentence until September 28 to enable latest examination of seized computer equipment,to be completed. Price was remanded to remain in custody.