A LONER who amassed a collection of indecent pictures of children and shared some on a social networking site has avoided prison.

Andrew Wilkins was described by a judge as "a pathetic individual" as he ordered him to seek help for his distorted thinking.

The bachelor, 42, was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, at Teesside Crown Court said there had been no real risk of Wilkins carrying out his fantasies.

The court heard how police raided the home of his parents in Billingham in late 2015 and seized computer equipment from his bedroom containing more than 300 indecent images – some showing boys as young as 12, said prosecutor Rachel Masters.

Cleveland Police carried out the search after a tip-off from the National Crime Agency after it spotted an email address in the bogus name of John Smith had uploaded child abuse photos onto Twitter in an account called "hornyboy".

When he was arrested, Wilkins, who has no previous convictions, refused to answer police questions, the court heard.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, described the defendant as "a lonely figure" who, although working, spends much of his time on his computer.

"He would be willing to undertake the group work programme which would not necessarily be appropriate for someone who was withholding his acknowledgement," said Mr McReddie.

"Mr Wilkins is an intelligent man, he has been in employment, he understands the nature of the offending and how harm results."

Judge Bourne-Arton told Wilkins: "These offences are not without victims. The children, in your case boys, were the subject of dreadful acts. They are forced to do that because of people like you, who get sexual gratification from viewing them."

Wilkins, of Foxton Drive, Billingham, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children, totalling 322.