A MAN who developed “an addiction” for depraved images featuring young children has been jailed for two years.

John Michael Johnson, who claimed he began seeking such material on the internet, “out of curiosity”, conceded he became “hooked”, gaining sexual gratification from viewing his mounting collection.

Durham Crown Court heard when police raided his home, in Ryton Crescent, Seaham, in June last year, he had amassed 388 still and moving images - almost half in the most severe two categories.

Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, said despite initial denials, he later made full admissions.

The court heard it was clear Johnson used paedophilic search terms to access images and had gone to some lengths to try and delete the material.

Johnson told police he served a one year prison sentence in his native Ireland for sexual assault in the 1990s and received sexual offender treatment work after settling in the North-East.

But he added that he lapsed back into viewing the illicit images, with a preference for those featuring young children.

Johnson, 39, now of South Parade, Thornley, east Durham, admitted making indecent images of children.

Lorraine Mustard, mitigating, said Johnson’s own “troubled childhood” appeared to be the "trigger point” behind his offending.

“He dearly wishes to change the person he is, but he knows it won’t be a quick fix,” she added.

Jailing him, Judge Peter Kelson told Johnson it is clear he is, “inherently dangerous, so strong are your paedophilic tendencies”.

Judge Kelson also made Johnson subject to an unlimited sexual offences prevention order, restricting his future access to the internet and prohibiting contact with children under-16.

Johnson must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.