A CUSTOMS officer found guilty of downloading 1,481 indecent images of children from the internet was given a two-year rehabilitation order.

Michael Court, aged 35, of Orpington High Street, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at Croydon Crown Court, on January 24, and was warned by the judge if he broke the terms of the order, he would almost certainly face prison.

Prosecuting, Alistair Smith said of the total images found on the man's hard drive, 69 could be described as obscene. Some scenes involved girls between the ages of six and 12.

Justice Simon Pratt directed Court's computer be forfeited and told the court: "These offences feed the business of children, in this country and elsewhere in the world, being abused and sexually interfered with in sometimes the most gruesome way."

Court must also undergo two years of counselling and treatment.

January 28, 2003 11:30