A LONER with an obsession with sex with children is starting a three-year prison sentence for a series of offences.

Stewart Tivendale collected and shared pictures and videos of abuse and incited boys and girls online to send photographs and carry out disgusting acts.

A Teesside Crown Court judge told the 21-year-old that the language he used during chats with teenagers on social media was "dreadful".

Tivendale's barrister, Duncan McReddie, said there was "clear compulsion" which will not be addressed until there is "proper structured intervention", but probation workers would have trouble dealing with him in the community.

Mr McReddie told Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC: "He had a highly unfortunate childhood, and was cast into the adult world with no support or assistance.

"He is clearly a man who has difficulties forming relations with people.

"He has kept himself to himself and has kept in work until these allegations came about and he was immediately dismissed because the police made it known to his employer.

"Since then, he has been on benefits and has had to move house more than once because of the nature of these allegations."

Tivendale admitted a total of 16 charges – multiple counts of making and distributing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence and attempting to incite child exploitation.

Judge Bourne-Arton told him: "There is a troubling aspect of your personality character, namely your obsession with sex and your obsession with sex with young boys and girls."

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told the court that the offences came to light when Tivendale bought a new mobile phone and traded in his old handset – which contained a picture of a naked 13-year-old.

Police went to his home in Redcar and seized other devices which had more than 1,000 indecent images and more than 11 hours of video clips of abuse with victims as young as three.

Tivendale, now of Crescent Road, Middlesbrough, was also put on the sex offenders' register for life.