A 33-year-old man was caught in possession of child pornography when he sent his computer for repair.

Police were called when it was realised that some files contained indecent images, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Officers arrested Kevin McGahern, of Middle Street, Deal, who was given a three year community sentence with supervision which will include attendance at the Thames Valley Sex Offenders’ treatment programme.

McGaherne admitted 17 charges of making indecent photos of children, one of possessing such an image and one of distributing between February 1, 2004 and April 12 last year.

Catherine Donnolly, prosecuting, said of the 389 images found, 271 were at level one, 37 level two, 44 level three, 33 level four and two at level five. He had distributed by email 356 images at levels one to four.

Caroline Knight, for McGahern, said McGahern seemed to have drifted into the offences and didn’t seem to have given much thought to it but was now well aware that to get such images, a child had to be abused.

“His remorse and recognition are sincere,” said Miss Knight.

Sentencing McGahern, Judge Timothy Nash said while such behaviour justified a custodial sentence, there would be no help for McGahern’s problem when released.

“Such conduct is wholly unacceptable because it necessarily involves the sexual abuse of young girls for the sexual gratification of others.”

McGahern was banned indefinitely from working with children and will be on the sex offenders register for five years. He is also subject of a sexual offences prevention order, banning him from access to computers and machinery to download material, unless in the course of legitimate employment for five years.