A pervert who downloaded more than 2,000 images of child sex abuse has avoided a jail sentence.

If sent to prison for a few months, Stephen Winterbone would be out shortly and nothing would be done in the long term to protect the public from the "ugly criminality", a judge said.

But if punished in the community, he argued, he could attend a sex offender programme and be under supervision.

Winterbone, of Priory Road, Dartford, admitted eight offences of making indecent photographs of a child and two of possessing extreme pornographic images involving sex with animals between March 2009 and March last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard police went to the 50-year-old supermarket delivery driver's bedsit on March 14 last year while he was out and seized three laptops.

Officers found 1,876 images at the lowest level of one, the highest being five. There were also 32 at level two, 103 at level three and 68 at level four.

Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said Winterbone was arrested later at the civic centre at Dartford Borough Council. He denied being attracted to children and claimed he was only interested in mature women.

"he acknowledges he needs help and support…” – liam loughlin, defending

"He said he found child pornography deplorable," said Mr Yardy.

Liam Loughlin, defending, said: "In some ways he is relieved this has come to light. He acknowledges he needs help and support."

Judge Philip Statman said Winterbone had downloaded the images for his own sexual gratification.

"You didn't consider for one moment the grave damage you are causing by this indirect means, of downloading images of children who are being abused by adults in order that they can be created," he said.

The judge said he could impose four months imprisonment, but Winterbone would be released within two months without treatment.

"The alternative is I allow you to remain at large pursuant to a community order of three years," he said. "You will go on a sex offender programme of 80 sessions over three years."

He added it was a harder task than being sent to prison.

Winterbone was banned from working with children and his name will appear on the sex offenders' register for five years. A sexual offences prevention order will also last five years.