A PAEDOPHILE antiques restorer downloaded thousands of sick images and videos of children being sexually abused.

Robert Soanes streamed the files from the internet to feed his “pornography addiction” on his laptop in Portslade.

When police raided his home, they found the laptop had 2,372 category A images that showed children in “discernible pain and distress”.

There were also 1,312 category B and 1,059 category C images, and there was also an “extreme” pornographic image of a person performing a sex act with a dog.

The 49-year-old apparently used the images as “stress relief” because he was “isolated” in his workshop.

At Hove Crown Court he was given a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to carry out 170 hours of unpaid work after admitting possessing the class A, B, and C images, possessing a prohibited image of a child, and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Jonathan Atkinson, prosecuting, said Soanes' home at Southdown Road in Portslade was raided by police in September.

He said: “He was addicted to pornography, and he had used various search terms as well.

“There was a high volume of images including moving images that show discernible pain and distress.”

Sarah Elliott, defending, said: “There were no searches for the particularly serious sadistic images. They were the product of a torrent download where the user gets everything.”

She said Soanes recognised he had a problem with porn addiction and approached the Lucy Faithfull Foundation charity which has given him help and support.

“It identified his working environment as a problem, now he is avoiding that isolation and need to relieve stress in a criminal way,” she said.

Judge Christine Henson QC said Soanes had voluntarily attended the charity sessions and was honest with police, with no previous convictions.

She said: “He has already begun to take steps in the right direction, but he has offended in the most appalling way.

“It is aggravated by the vulnerability of the children and the obvious pain and distress of each of those who are victims.

“I am aware of the resources within the custodial setting and the courses that are available. I have to weigh-up punishment and rehabilitation.”

She imposed a 15-month suspended prison sentence and 170 hours of unpaid work.

Soanes is also the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Notification Order for the next ten years.