A pervert who downloaded thousands of child sex abuse images from the internet has walked free after he impressed a judge by seeking help.

Judge Philip Statman said by attending psychotherapy sessions it showed Daniel Ceross had some insight into his offending.

The stark choice, he said, was to jail the 29-year-old for eight months or protect the public by imposing other measures in the community.

Ceross, of Kirkdale Road, Tunbridge Wells, admitted four offences of possessing indecent images of a child.

Police discovered more than 6,000 images at the lowest level of C and 59 movies clips at the most serious level of A after seizing computer equipment on August 20 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Ceross had been “disarmingly frank” after his arrest and sought professional advice.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years with supervision and he will have to attend a sex offender programme for up to 64 sessions.

Judge Statman said it was important for the public to understand what the programme involved.

“It is not suitable for everyone,” he said. “There has to be acceptance and insight into what is expected of him.

“What is unusual in this case is that of his own volition he has sought help before the probation service has become involved.”

“There are numerous victims who must not, and will not, be forgotten by this court which has a duty to ensure children are protected within the criminal process” - Judge Philip Statman

Some of the images involved children as young as three.

“There are numerous victims who must not, and will not, be forgotten by this court which has a duty to ensure children are protected within the criminal process” the judge told Ceross.

“No doubt when you engaged in this activity it was for your own sexual gratification and you never turned your mind from the comfort of your living room that you would one day appear at Maidstone Crown Court.

“These are grave offences and clearly they have crossed the custody threshold. But what is significant and somewhat unusual is you have sought the assistance of a psychotherapist.

“It is clear from what he writes about you that you have some insight into your offending behaviour.”

Ceross’ name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for five years and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.