A PAEDOPHILE was spared a prison sentence after thousands of sick images of child sex abuse were found on his devices.

David Eve, 69, had been investigated by the police over possession of cannabis, but a search of his tablet, laptop and iPhone in Brighton found the disgusting abuse.

The former RAF serviceman has become a “lonely old man” in very poor health, a court heard.

He has no contact with his children or grandchildren.

At Lewes Crown Court he admitted five counts of possessing indecent images of children.

It was revealed Eve had looked at thousands of pictures and videos of some of the worst types of abuse of children. Some were in the “youngest age categories”.

He was spared a prison sentence because of his liver problems from previous alcoholism, diabetes, and mental health problems.

Instead Eve must complete 30 rehabilitation sessions as part of an eight-month suspended prison sentence.

Gino Connor, prosecuting, said the offending had taken place over many years. Eve had “systematically” searched for some of the material on computers, and had shown more technology awareness than a “typical pensioner”.

Nicholas Hamblin, defending, said Eve had made full admissions to the police and was sorry.

He said his client has lost a lot of weight after being taken off insulin because of his suicidal thoughts. Eve had also been a victim of abuse as a child, the court heard.

Judge Martin Huseyin said Eve was a “low risk” to children. The judge said: “It went on for a number of years, viewing this disgusting material.

“It has victims that are forced into acts whose lives are ruined. The only reason that happens is because people like you are prepared to acquire and use this material for sexual gratification.

“So it is not a victimless offence. In these courts we see how people delude themselves into thinking that, but this is serious because the age of some of those depicted is particularly young, going down to the lower age ranges.”

The judge was told that Eve, of Upper Hollingdean Road, Brighton, has several life-threatening and life-changing conditions hitting his health.

Eve was put on the sex offenders register for ten years. A sexual harm prevention order was also put in place for ten years. It restricts Eve’s access to computers and children.