A “loner” secretly downloaded indecent photos and videos of children and extreme pornographic images at his Oxton home, a court heard today.

When police raided his home in Devonshire Road armed with a search warrant in December last year Benjamin Melchior said “Oh my God.”

His laptop and three hard drives were seized and when forensically examined indecent images of children were found and also prohibited pseudo-images of children and extreme pornographic images involving bestiality.

It was found that “specific searches had been made using search terms well known to police.

"When interviewed he made a number of admissions and a number of denials but accepted he spent a disproportionate part of his time on the internet using lots of file sharing sites,” said Rob Jones, prosecuting.

He said he had accessed files uploaded by other people and that initially had come across child porn by accident.

Melchior also said he had searched for mainstream porn and sado-masochistic images.

He admitted searching for images when drunk and found girls aged 12 to 16 years attractive.

He also said he had a problem and needed counselling.

“He said he had a drink problem and would often search for material when in drink. He had been frightened by the experience (of arrest) and indicated he would not be looking at the computer again,” said Mr Jones.

35-year-old Melchior pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to three charges of making indecent images involving a total of 123 images in all three categories of seriousness; one of possessing indecent images of children and two more charges involving 19 extreme porn images, including videos and prohibited images.

Paul Davison, defending, said that Melchior had been embarrassed when arrested and struggled to make full admissions.

“He is a loner, single, unemployed and lives alone. He was a heavy drinker consuming three litres of cider a day and went on internet sites for comfort.”

Mr Davison said that Melchior had been bullied out of his previous home by other drinkers and was easily led. ”He is anxious to address his behaviour and has cut down his drinking quite substantially.”

Judge Denis Watson, QC, sentenced him to eight months' imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to attend 20 days rehabilitation activity.

He also imposed a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

Judge Watson said he accepted the views of the author of a probation report that Melchior is prepared to address his issues.