A MAN who became “hooked” on indecent images of children has been given a chance to address his issues in the community.

Although he said he felt ashamed while doing it, Philip Ford amassed a collection of 8,869 offending images on digital devices seized by police from his Houghton-le-Spring home, last July.

Durham Crown Court heard 140 of those were in the most serious category, including 38 minutes of moving footage, and featured a child as young as two.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said there were also some offending computer-generated images.

Ford, 54, of Violet Terrace, admitted three counts of making, indecent images of children and one of possessing prohibited images.

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, said Ford, of previous good character, lost his job of 27 years and had to move away from home due to damage caused to the property, once his offending came to light.

He has also sought mental health assistance.

Judge Jonathan Carroll imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 30 rehabilitation days working with the Probation Service, plus a six-month 8pm to 8am home curfew.

Ford will also be subject to both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and registration as a sex offender, in each case for ten years.