A former soldier who committed his second offence of downloading child sex abuse images has walked free after a court heard his behaviour could have been affected by seeing action in war zones.

Richard Moore had 10 years of "distinguished military service" in the tough Parachute Regiment and was awarded a general service medal, said Judge Charles Byers.

"Thereafter, you served in difficult circumstances in Iraq and elsewhere," he added. "I think there is something in what your counsel says, that it was after Iraq things started to go wrong in your life.

"You are plainly a man who has a good sense of duty and ability to take responsibility quite properly. That is why I am going to take a chance with you."

Moore, of Burch Road, Northfleet, admitted four offences of making indecent photos of children and possessing a prohibited weapon - a stun gun - on November 7 last year.

Before suspending two years' imprisonment for two years, the judge admitted: "I have some misgivings, I have to say, but I am also acutely aware of his past in the things he has done for his country and the things he has done he should not have done."

Charles Durrant, defending, said: "Something has obviously gone wrong. He had an exemplary record in the Army.

"It is the two years he spent after his Army career that have contributed in some way to triggering something quite unusual and worrying."

Mr Durrant said 36-year-old Moore spent a year in Iraq working as "close protection" and went to three times as many funerals as he did when in the Paras.

"It seems after 10 years' service without any concerns or interests in children or otherwise, it is when he comes back from that private contract problems start," he told Maidstone Crown Court.

"He has made determined efforts to change. He still needs significant professional input."

"I think there is something in what your counsel says, that it was after Iraq things started to go wrong in your life..." - Judge Charles Byers

Ordering Moore, whose previous conviction for a similar offence was in October 2008, to have sex offender treatment with supervision for two years, Judge Byers said: "He has never had any help so far as I can see.

"It seems to me a man who has a distinguished record of military service to others in foreign parts probably deserves one chance at that."

Judge Byers told Moore: "I fully recognise you have been in trouble before. You must understand that making indecent images of children for the internet means that real children have been abused in order to take those photographs.

"If there wasn't the market for that sort of thing then children would not be abused. That is why the courts take these matters so seriously.

"Against that it seems to me that no one has actually offered you the help you need to get over this problem."

The judge said he took into account Moore had not prevaricated and had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

He warned: "Mark my words and mark them well, if you fail then to prison you will go, because nobody can help you unless you help yourself.

"If you want to serve a prison sentence, then violate the suspended sentence."

Judge Byers said of the 100-session sex offender programme: "Work hard. It is not an easy option. Hopefully, we will get to the bottom of this offending. Don't let me down. I don't improve on second acquaintances."

A sexual offences prevention order was imposed and Moore's name will appear on the sex offenders' register.