A MAN found with more than 10,000 indecent images of children on his computer has been spared jail.

Anthony Johnson’s home in Woodhall Terrace, Bradford, was searched by police who found thousands of explicit images of girls, aged between two and 12, on three electronic devices.

Officers found a total of 10,389 images, which was made up of 1,205 of the most serious nature, category A, consisting of 1,074 images and 131 movies, of a child. They also discovered 1,280 category B material (1,228 images, 52 movies) and 7,904 of category C (7,833 images, 71 movies) on the devices.

Johnson, 53, was arrested after he was also found in possession of 189 prohibited images of children (180 images and nine movies) when his house was searched on July 31, 2019. Police seized hard drives and a computer tower belonging to Johnson during their investigations.

The images were collected by Johnson between 2014 and 2019.

In mitigation, the court heard Johnson went through an acrimonious divorce ‘nine or 10 years ago’ and was then ‘in a bad place’ and subsequently turned to alcohol and drugs. During this time he was accessing pornography online while at home.

His mitigating counsel said: “It is quite clear it became an obsession with him watching pornography. He was coming home, drinking, taking drugs and watching pornography.

“He still looks at pornography, he is quite candid about that, but it is adult pornography.”

He has also cut down on his alcohol intake since his computers were seized and now rarely does drugs.

Johnson is now disgusted by his behaviour of looking at indecent images of children, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and one charge of possessing a prohibited image of a child. He pleaded guilty to all charges at a previous hearing. Johnson, who had no previous convictions, was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

He was jailed for 10 months, suspended for two years, for the four offences. He was also given a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and must attend an alcohol treatment programme for four months.

Judge Ahmed Nadim said Johnson has been given a chance to sort out his lifestyle.

The Judge told Johnson: “We want you to sort yourself out and lead a lifestyle that does not contribute to the suffering and humiliation of children.

“There was a great deal of harm inflicted on the children whose images you view and gratify yourself with. There is an infliction of pain and indignity to the children.

“Your wrongdoing came to light when the police searched your home. Three devices were seized.

“I am persuaded that you can be rehabilitated and given the tools you need to explore your sexuality in lawful means.”