A pervert has been jailed after he amassed thousands of indecent images of young children over a 10-year period.

Police discovered almost 18,000 pictures of children being abused by adults at all levels of seriousness following a raid on Michael Stump’s home in Strood.

Maidstone Crown Court heard there was another 38,000 images which were “indicative of sexual interest in youngsters”, but not indecent or illegal.

Prosecutor James Ross said the 51-year-old widower, of Elaine Avenue, had been accessing the material on the morning of the police raid.

A computer and collection of DVDs were seized.

Stump claimed he may have come across the images while looking for adult pornography. He denied having an interest in children.

“He is so ashamed some family members are unaware of what he has done. He has made it clear he would never have acted upon his feelings...” - Simon Sandford, defending

Mr Ross said as well as thousands of still images there were video clips totalling almost 20 hours.

Stump used search terms as “nine-year-old model” and “Russian teen girls”. He said he would “bulk download” the pictures.

He admitted possessing indecent images of children between 2004 and 2014 and was jailed for 16 months.

Simon Sandford, defending, said Stump was deeply remorseful and felt ashamed.

“He has become reclusive,” he continued. “He has given up work.

“He is so ashamed some family members are unaware of what he has done. He has made it clear he would never have acted upon his feelings.”

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said there had been a systematic search for the images on the internet, some of which involved sadism.

Stump’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual offences prevention order was made, both for 10 years. He will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.