A PERVERT caught with more than 1,000 indecent images of children when police officers searched his property has been jailed.

Andrew John Turrell, aged 46, received a knock on the door of his Weymouth home from police officers on September 16, 2020 who found that Turrell had illegal pornography.

Turrell, of Emmadale Close in Weymouth appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to; possession of 15 prohibited images of children; making 388 category A, 317 category B and 442 category C images of children; as well as possession of nine extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC sentenced Turrell to 11 months imprisonment and told the court that a common feature of the images found was the 'extreme youth of the victims' in contexts which he said were 'disturbing'.

At a previous hearing in Weymouth Magistrates Court it was heard that some of the more severe images found depicted three children aged between four to eight years old, another eight-year-old, and numerous images of children between 18 months and nine years old.

Representing Turrell at Bournemouth Crown Court, Matthew Graham said that Turrell was doing gardening and horticultural work but was released from his job as a result of these hearings.

He said: "He admitted his improper behaviour 15 months ago. He has been under no illusion of the seriousness of the matter."

Mr Graham said the defendant was facing a 'miserable period' of his life and was suffering with 'depression and social anxiety' and sought 'more alone time' and retreated 'into the escapism of the internet and chatrooms'.

He said: "It was there that he was exposed to material that brings him before the court.

"He was going to go to police but they got to him first.

"On the first day he had a knock on his door [from police] he admitted his behaviour.

"When he left the police station he went immediately to his doctor and then got a prescription for the medication he needed and began his process of reaching out for help."

Mr Graham said Turrell had been going to therapy sessions.

Prosecuting, Peter Pride, said that at least one of the category A images was created by Turrell in 2015 and remained accessible when he was arrested.

Judge Fuller said: "On September 16, a warrant was issued for your arrest. Police came to your property and found three devices, two mobile phones and one computer.

He said that there were 'a combination of events' which lead to Turrell becoming isolated and depressed prior to his arrest.

He said: "You had become isolated and started using the Kik chatroom and shared in order to be part of the group.

"You have taken initiative to address your offending and what led to it."

Judge Fuller said Turell had a partner of 18 years who remained supportive, and said he felt that Turrell was someone 'capable of change and rehabilitation'.

He added: "Regrettably, I take the view that only a custodial sentence, an immediate one, is appropriate in this case."

Judge Fuller said 'the nature of the images makes prison inevitable' and sentenced Turrell to an 11-month prison sentence and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the three devices which the images were found on. Turrell has also been ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge.