A MAN who downloaded indecent images of children was traced to his home in Hook.

Stephen Darvill, of Elms Road, was found to have hundreds of sick images and movies on his computer.

At Winchester Crown Court, the 50-year-old pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and two counts of possession of indecent photographs of a child.

Jane Terry, prosecuting, said: “This offending came to light when information was received that a particular internet user, registered to the defendant, had downloaded images of children on March 27, 2010.

“It took some time to track him down and in July last year his house was visited by police officers and computer equipment was examined.”

Miss Terry said that at first Darvill denied possessing the images, claiming that as a homosexual he did not have any interest in little children.

Some 219 still images and 120 movies were found on Darvill’s computer, with the majority in the least serious category of indecency. Miss Terry said there was no evidence Darvill had distributed the images to anyone else.

Katie Quincey, defending, said Darvill was keen to participate in a sexual offenders programme in order to address his problems.

Judge Andrew Barnett told Darvill he could have served nine months for the offences, but said Darvill and the public would be better served by a long-term community punishment.

He added: “The images are most disgusting and you must understand that this kind of conduct is quite unacceptable.”

Darvill received a three-year community order with a supervision and sexual offender group work requirement. He was also placed on the sexual offenders register for five years and made subject to a sexual offences prevention order.