A car salesman who claimed he downloaded thousands of indecent images of children at work as a money-making enterprise has escaped a jail sentence.

Luke Kirby walked free after a judge said there were many aspects of the case that took it out of the "norm".

"What is perhaps more unusual about this case than the majority of cases that come before the court is this was done not for sexual motives but for financial reasons," said Judge Martin Joy.

Kirby, of Larksfield, Faversham, wept as he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment - suspended for a year with supervision - after admitting making and possessing indecent images of children.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 29-year-old father was working at F G Barnes in Maidstone when he downloaded around 4,400 images and about 18 video clips at various levels.

Bridget Todd, prosecuting, said Kirby told police he had only just started working at the car company when a colleague came up with a money-making plan to download the images and sell them on.

"He initially conducted this activity at work because he had no internet access at home and did not want his partner to find them," said Miss Todd.

"He said he was not a pervert and merely wanted to make money."

"he said he was not a pervert and merely wanted to make money…” – bridget todd, prosecuting

One of the video clips was about 20 minutes long and showed an adult having sex with a young girl.

Sara Haroon, defending, said the offences dated back to 2008 and Kirby had carried a heavy burden.

The only reason he committed the offences, she said, was because his ex-partner had left him with enormous debts.

"He did view some of the images but it was not for sexual gratification," said Miss Haroon. "He was thoroughly disgusted with what he saw."

Kirby left the company after the IT department was alerted to the images being on a work computer.

Miss Haroon said Kirby, who now works as a merchandising manager at a Faversham supermarket, suffered a serious mental breakdown.

"You can see how consumed by regret and remorse he is," she told Judge Joy. "A psychologist says he does not fit the criteria for paedophilia."

Judge Joy said there had been a delay in the matter reaching court since the images were discovered in 2008.

"I take into account this caused you considerable distress and disturbance," he told Kirby. "Because of the delay, there has been considerable punishment."

Luke Kirby was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court

There had been a great deal of investigation into Kirby’s motivation.

"You appreciated how wrong this was," said the judge. "There have been devastating consequences in your personal life and relationships.

"I therefore take the view there are many aspects of this case that take it out of the norm. It has to be remembered, however, that downloading of images of children remains an extremely serious offence.

"There are real victims. I have no doubt you have been constantly reminded of that."

Judge Joy said he had concluded it was not necessary to make a sexual offences prevention order. Kirby’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.