A PAEDOPHILE said he had no sympathy for the victims shown in his videos and pictures of child abuse because "they looked like they were enjoying it", a court heard.

Dennis Williams's confession to a probation officer was described as "worrying" by a judge as he spared him jail with a ten-month suspended prison sentence, but ordered him to seek sex offender treatment.

Father-of-three Williams, 54, was caught with indecent images on his lap-top computer and a USB stick. His lawyer, Damian Sabino, said his "skewed attitude" needed immediate attention.

The court heard how he moved into rented accommodation after his arrest in May, the relationships with his sons is strained, and his daughter has ended contact.

Mr Sabino said: "He states the more material he viewed, the less sensitive he became. He says, with hindsight, he is appalled and he is sorry for his family to have to deal with this.

"There is clearly a lack of understanding as to the terrible impact upon the victims, and clearly his view has become distorted.

The court heard that police raided his then home in Tennyson Road, Billingham, when Williams and his wife were there, and seized his computer equipment.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said a total of 48 images and films were found - with 25 in the most serious category - and Williams confessed immediately. He pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images and children and possessing 16 images of extreme pornography at an earlier hearing.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told him: "For you to tell a probation officer that you fail to empathise and sympathise with these victims because they, quote, look as though they are enjoying it, close quote, is a very worrying belief for you to have and a very worrying thought for me to consider."

Williams, now of Sorbonne Close, Thornaby, near Stockton was placed on the sex offenders's register for ten years.

Judge Bourne-Arton also imposed 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement with a treatment programme.