AN ISLE of Wight man collected more than 1,800 indecent images of children, some as young as five, a court heard.

Hamilton Russell, of Blythe Way, Shanklin, had collected images of children, some being abused, between the ages of five and 15 over a six year period.

Simon Foster, prosecuting, told the Isle of Wight Crown Court the 32 year old used an app to search porn, would often use the term 'teen' and had searched for child porn.

The court heard Russell, a father of two, would not use regular porn sites as he liked doing it this way and admitted he may have shared links.

Mr Foster said they were real children who had been abused and photographed.

For Russell, Mr Barry Arnett said the defendant was of previous good character and had taken steps to overcome his addiction.

Mr Arnett said: "When he pleaded guilty, he lost his job. He brought shame upon himself and had to leave the home at first."

Russell had sought help from his GP, undertaken contact with social services and there was a child protection scheme in place, the court heard.

His family, who attended court, had written character references to the judge and said they supported him.

Mr Arnett said with the support of his family, Russell could take the necessary steps to prevent reoffending.

"The safeguarding checks have been completed and they will continue," said Mr Arnett.

"Police can present themselves at his property at any time to check he has not reoffended."

Sentencing Russell to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge Price said: "What you looked at was utterly disgusting.

"These are real children who have been abused for people like you.

"If it were not for people like you, they would not be abused and put online."

Judge Price noted Russell had a supportive family, entered an early guilty plea and no previous convictions.

"You are very lucky to have a family that supports you. These are good people."

Russell was also sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, put on the sex offenders register and enrolled on a rehabilitation programme.