HE IS the Southampton pervert who contacted young children through internet chat rooms.

But Aaron Hutter was caught in his own trap when he was snared by sex abuse experts using a fake profile.

Their investigations uncovered evidence that he had also built up a collection of more than 1,000 indecent images of children as young as five – and some clips involving animals.

Hutter wept in the dock as Southampton Crown Court heard shocking details of the photos and moving images found on computer equipment at his home.

But a judge spared him jail claiming he needed help to tackle a “serious problem”

stemming from his childhood.

Hutter, 21, of Quayside Road, Southampton, admitted 13 charges linked to possessing indecent images of children.

The court heard how officials from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) used a fake profile of a 10-year-old to snare him.

He was traced talking to a 10-year-old girl on social media and email.

Police raiding his home on September 11 last year seized computer equipment containing 1,103 images – including 158 of the worst category, it was heard.

Prosecutor Peter Asteris told the court how Hutter admitted to regularly contacting youngsters aged 10-14 on social media sites and chat rooms and that he struggled to maintain relationships and deal with commitment.

Mr Asteris said Hutter had viewed indecent images since he was 14 and added: “He described building up his own collection of material and was able to send material on to others.”

Defence barrister Christopher Gaiger said his client has shown genuine remorse and would benefit better from rehabilitation courses rather than a custodial sentence, adding: “He accepts full responsibility that what he has done is wrong and accepts he needs help and support.”

Judge Peter Henry branded them “disturbing” images and said: “No-one said you were directly involved in the abuse of these children but people are involved and they are in it to make money and in it to share these revolting images with people like you. The real victims are these young children.”

But he agreed Hutter has a “serious problem” stemming from “difficulties” in his childhood.

Sentencing him to an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years, Judge Henry said: “It will satisfy the justice of this case and best protect children in the future.”

Hutter was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and told to pay £1,500 costs.