A SEX offender caught with a 'deplorable' collection of vile child abuse images and videos been given a suspended sentence.

Peter Charlton had been downloading the 'filth' for a decade before he was finally brought to justice.

Teesside Crown Court heard how one of the child abuse videos lasted for more than an hour and other images showed a baby being sexually abused, bestiality and sado-masochistic abuse.

The 64-year-old was already the subject of a sexual harm prevention order which was imposed in 2016.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said when police raided his Middlesbrough home Charlton admitted his guilt when officers also arrested his wife.

He said the defendant told officers they would find indecent images of children on his electronic devices.

Charlton had been searching the internet using a number of terms associated with child sexual abuse, Mr Newcombe added.

The court heard how Charlton pleaded with officers to allow him to take his medication for epilepsy as he could feel a 'fit' coming on.

Charlton, of Boxford Walk, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to three charges – possession of 243 category A images, including 48 videos; possession of 133 category B images, including 12 videos; and 119 category C images.

In mitigation, Paul Green, said his client had made full admissions and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added: "His pre-sentence report, I do accept, doesn't make comfortable reading but it does highlight areas that he does need to address."

Mr Green urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said: "This was not just disgusting but deplorable images that you were viewing.

At the heart of this offence, these involved real children, in some cases, of an extremely young age, exposed to abuse and unimaginable suffering to produce, what right minded people regard as vile filth.

"If you can be directed away from this disgusting material then society as a whole will benefit.

"I'm going to take a chance on the recommendation of the pre-sentence report – I'm going to all you your liberty."

Charlton was given an eight month prison sentence, suspended for two years.