A bio-medical scientist caught downloading child porn was put behind bars today.

Police found more than 12,000 obscene photographs and videos when they analysed Timothy Byrnes' computer after raiding his home.

The shamed scientist, who worked at Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital, was jailed for eight months by a judge who told him, "If there is anyone in respect of whom it can be said to have a positive good character then you are that person.

"It is a matter of great regret that a man like you appears before the court for offences of such seriousness.

"You have for many years held responsibility within the NHS and you are plainly an intelligent man.

"You are described as caring member of society."

But Judge John Phipps said that the offences were so serious that an immediate custodial sentence had to be passed.

"You appreciate that if there is no demand for these images then these children will not be exploited but it is a problem and it seems it is becoming an increasing problem of people using the internet to download these disgusting, saddening images," he said.

59-year-old grey haired Byrnes, of Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to six offences of making indecent images. He was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that a total of 11,377 photographs in all five categories of seriousness were found and 832 videos.

Although the majority of photographs were in the least serious category more than 500 were at the most severe level and 278 movies were in the second most serious category.

Rob Jones, prosecuting, said that police raided Byrnes' home on February 24 last year acting on information from the Met police about website users.

Paul Wood, defending, said that it was a "shocking" and "unusual" case. "Byrnes had started downloading music and then substantial amounts of child pornography.

"He viewed only a relatively small percentage of the photographs.

"When the offences were committed he was working full time in a responsible occupation.

"These proceedings have had a substantial impact on him and he has now resigned. He had worked for the NHS for 38 years."

Mr Wood said that Brynes is now separated from his wife and son. "He is ashamed of his behaviour and the impact on those he loves."

He had emotional issues from his childhood including abandonment and anxiety and there is an addictive part of his nature.

Since the offences came to light he has sought help and accepts his offending "is not normal behaviour."