A DETECTIVE has said Dorset Police is "committed to ensuring justice is served" after two men were sentenced for possessing thousands of indecent images of children.

Paul Anthony Lawton, 55, and Ray Brian Steven Westrop, 61, were handed 20-month prison sentences, suspended for two years.

This came after both defendants admitted four charges of possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography relating to files found on computer equipment and printed material at their Bournemouth home.

As reported, Bournemouth Crown Court heard that officers located "over a million" images in total after a search warrant was carried out on their address in Wollstonecraft Road in September 2017.

Prosecutor Catherine Flint said so many images were found that police decided against categorising all of the material.

In a statement after the hearing on Friday, April 9, Detective Sergeant Paul Chessell, of Dorset Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “Cases of this nature involving examination of digital devices are complex and require expert examination, often involving third parties.

“In this case there were a significant number of images and devices that had to be analysed, results reviewed, then graded. This process can take some time and is resource intensive.

“We are committed to ensuring justice is served, no matter how long it takes, and that those who commit offences involving indecent images are held to account for their offending.”