A FORMER paramedic who was once hailed a hero for saving the life of a fellow aeroplane passenger has been caught with hundreds of images of children being sexually abused.

Jeffrey Causton dodged a prison sentence because of his unblemished past and "exemplary" conduct, but must undergo treatment for his addiction to pornography.

Police visited the married father at his home in Hartlepool in May last year and seized a computer tower, laptop, hard-drive and a storage stick, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Some of the near-450 images found on the devices showed children as young as six engaged in sexual activity with adults, prosecutor Emma Atkinson told the court.

Causton's wife and daughter were in court and are said to be standing by him, which he told his lawyer: "I do not deserve."

Martin Scarborough, mitigating, said: "Mr Causton is a man of good character, and he seems to have shown some genuine remorse.

"He was very upset when we spoke in conference this morning. He has let his family down."

Mr Scarborough told the court that Causton went to the aid of a fellow passenger on a Virgin Atlantic flight and helped save his life, before the plane was diverted to the nearest airport.

After leaving the ambulance service, he worked for another company, but retired because of the shame of his conviction – even though a director wrote a reference for him.

Causton, of Clarkson Court, Hartlepool, admitted three charges of making an indecent images of children on May 11, last year.

The judge, Recorder Ben Nolan, QC, imposed a ten-months prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 35 days of rehabilitation activity, and ordered him to pay £340 costs.

He told Causton: "It is clear you became addicted to pornography and have developed an unhealthy interest in children.

"You were of good character, have pleaded guilty, and I accept you have shown some genuine remorse – all of which enables me to suspend the sentence."

Causton was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricts his internet use for five years, and he must register as a sex offender for ten years.