A pervert who admitted being aroused by images of children being tied up won't be jailed - because he wouldn't get any sex offender treatment behind bars.

Judge Andrew Patience QC said Martin McNair probably had a “lifetime proclivity” for lusting after youngsters, but he could at least be taught how to deal with it.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 20-year-old downloaded hundreds of “wicked” pictures from the internet at all levels of seriousness.

McNair, of Carnation Road, Strood, admitted 15 charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Police raided his home on June 17 and seized computer equipment.

About 1,300 images, described by the judge as “unpleasant and disturbing”, were found.

Anne Phillips, prosecuting, said McNair admitted he had a sexual interest in children between the ages of 10 and 15.

“He said he found their innocence to be attractive to him,” she said.

“He said he found the images arousing, particularly where children were tied up.”

Mrs Phillips said McNair was in January 2007 given a community order for sexually assaulting a young girl.

“A sex offender programme was a requirement, but I understand it never took place,” she said.

Clayton Bridge, defending, said the easiest course would be to pass a custodial sentence but McNair would come out without help.

“He is determined to stop offending and says he needs some help,” said Mr Bridge.

Judge Patience said: “What is most worrying is he has a self-confessed and continuing attraction to young children sexually.”

McNair, who served over three months on remand, was sentenced to 12 months youth custody suspended for two years, with supervision and sex offender treatment.

The judge told him: “Somewhere on this planet unspeakable, wicked people are doing such things to children.

“They are no doubt terrified, not understanding what is happening and why.

"Someone is doing things because at the other end of the chain there are people like you, willing to download this material for their own perverted sexual gratification.

“Those who do it commit offences that are repugnant to all right-thinking members of society and commit offences which the court must regard as being particularly grave.”

Judge Patience said he had a simple choice of either sending McNair into custody or suspending the sentence with conditions.

There would be no suitable courses he could attend, he said, while serving a sentence of between six months and two years.

A sexual offences prevention order was imposed and McNair will remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.