A MAN who collected indecent images of children from the internet was “candid” about his predilections when questioned by the Probation Service.

Kenneth Sharpe conceded his “problems” needed addressing in the aftermath of police uncovering the offending still and moving pictures.

It followed the seizure of 13 items of computer hardware from his bedroom at his home in Lime Avenue, Blackhall, County Durham, on May 8.

Durham Crown Court heard that police carried out the search in response to “intelligence packages” received in April suggesting Sharpe sought material of a paedophilic nature.

Stuart Graham said 69 offending images were uncovered, 56 stills and 13 moving, in all three ranges of severity.

The offending images were collated over a period between June 2012 and October last year.

Mr Graham said all were saved on a file titled “Kenneth Sharpe”.

Thirty-one-year-old Sharpe admitted 16 counts of making an indecent image of a child and one roll up charge covering possession of 53 further images.

Mr Graham told the court that other images recovered, some featuring himself and others concentrating on children’s feet, were not the subject of any of the charges.

But he said there was no evidence that Sharpe had been involved in the distribution of any material.

Mr Graham added that when initially questioned, Sharpe gave no reply, and later could not account for his behaviour.

But the court was told that he gave immediate indications that he would plead guilty as soon as court proceedings began in the case.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, told the court: “It’s clear from his pre-sentence probation report that he has an appreciation of his offending.

“Perhaps the contents of that report are his best mitigation.

“He has expressed his problems with candour, and there appears to be a clear understanding of them and a willingness to address them.”

Judge Robert Adams told Sharpe: “I’ve read that report where you have openly admitted an extreme attraction to children, and you admit you had those images for your own sexual gratification.

“You’ve admitted very worrying obsessions, including photographing yourself in public, but you’ve been frank recognising you need assistance to overcome them.”

He imposed a three-year community order to include supervision and attendance at sex offender treatment programme sessions.

Sharpe was also made subject of registration as a sex offender for five years and a sexual offences prevention order was imposed, “until further notice”.