A 36-year-old surveyor found with more than 2,000 indecent images on a home computer has received a 12-month suspended prison sentence.

Kienan Connolly, of Garden Close, Harpenden, pleaded guilty to seven counts of downloading child pornography from the internet and one charge of possession of 2,100 images.

Connolly received a caution in 2005 when 190 similar pictures of child abuse were found on a computer.

The latest offence came to light after a search of his computer on June 11, last year.

Connolly admitted viewing the images for hours at a time, up to three days a week for sexual gratification.

The images were in the main of young boys aged between five and six, with several pictures depicting the most serious sexual offences that can be carried out against children.

Judge Cooke imposed a 12-month suspended sentence at St Albans Crown Court Friday.

The self-employed surveyor was also made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order, allowing the police access to his computer any time of day.

The court heard in mitigation Connolly wanted help with his “addiction”

to child pornography, and would comply with any order imposed by the court.

He was having supervised access to his sister’s children, and his sister was in court for the sentencing, the judge was told.

The matter had been sent from the magistrates court for sentence because they did not deem their powers of six months’ immediate imprisonment adequate.

However, at the higher court Judge Cooke said after hearing all the facts a suspended prison sentence was appropriate.

Judge Cooke said: “You pleaded guilty in the magistrates court at the first opportunity.

“You have a caution in 2005 for 90 images, when you went through group therapy in order to with the problem you recognised you had.

“The pictures concern nude children aged five to six, pre-pubescent boys.

“You looked at the images two to three times a week for hours at a time.

“You recognise you have a problem in that regard and one you need help with.

“This sentence will give the maximum possible assistance so that what has become an addiction is cured.”

He added: “I am going to impose the least sentence I can commensurate with the gravity of the offence. And it is a serious offence, which tends to perpetuate the abuse of children that are the subject of that photography.

“Only a sentence of imprisonment can be justified but I can suspend that taking into account all the circumstances.”

Connolly must sign on the sex offenders register for ten years.

A destruction order was made on the computer.