A LONER who amassed a collection of more than 38,500 indecent images of children has walked free from court.

Daniel Cupryna downloaded thousands of still and moving images of young girls aged between eight and ten, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Judge Howard Crowson handed the 41-year-old, of Oxford Road, Middlesbrough, a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years after stating he did not believe he would pose a physical risk to children.

Police visited the defendant's home in September 2012 after a complaint from internet search engine, Google.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said the images were part of a very large personal collection, of which the majority fell into the least serious category, with 88 in the most serious two categories.

“He made admissions to that effect during interview – owning it and downloading it for personal gratification,” she said.

Cupryna admitted 20 charges, including 16 counts of making and one of possessing indecent photographs of children, and three charges of possessing prohibited images of children.

His barrister, John Nixon, said Cupryna, who has severe dyslexia, is a single man who is not sexually experienced.

“He is described as being a loner. He does not have a great many friends,” he said.

“He has never chosen to have any hands-on experience with any child at all, and says he wouldn’t dream of it."

Judge Crowson told the court that while his activities were ‘abhorrent’, he did not believe Cupryna would pose a danger to the public.

As well as a suspended sentence, Cupryna was given a five-year sexual offences prevention order and ordered to complete a sex offender treatment programme.