by Keith Hunt

A pervert who downloaded thousands of "vile" child sex abuse images has been jailed for two years.

Noel Davidson was caught with 6,327 still pictures and 301 movie clips and admitted possessing them with a view to them being distributed or shown.

A judge said he had noted the 35-year-old had tried to make reparation by making a donation to the NSPCC and sought treatment.

But he added: "In my view, all right-thinking people would be outraged if anything other than an immediate custodial sentence is passed."

Maidstone Crown Court heard police raided Davidson's home in Horsted Way, Rochester, in February and seized his computer.

Judge Michael Carroll said although most of the images were not at the highest levels of four and five, it was not a case of mere possession.

"It is an aggravating feature of having the intention or a view to them being distributed or shown by you to another," he said.

"I emphasise when I pass sentence that for this kind of material to be made available children are regularly and habitually sexually abused - and your actions encourage that activity.

"You encouraged it by communicating with others and being in possession of vile material with a view to it being distributed or shown by you to another.

"The only possible sentence here is one of custody. The suggestion of help in the community cannot apply in a case as serious as this, even though you have pleaded guilty."

Davidson's name will appear on the sex offenders' register.