A MAN who "poses a risk to children" had more than 23,000 indecent images. 

Officers raided Ross McNaughton's home seizing a tablet, computer, laptops and a camera. 

Forensic examinations took place which revealed he had thousands of files showing youngsters being abused. 

Of the photos, 608 were deemed category A - the most serious.

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Meanwhile, 969 were considered category B, and 21,426 were category C. 

However, a forensic examiner found no evidence they had been distributed. 

McNaughton told police that no one else used the tablet and that he was sexually aroused by the images. 

PC Sarah Tickner from the Internet Child Abuse Team led the investigation.

She said: “McNaughton had an extremely large collection of indecent images stored on one of his devices and some children depicted were babies.

"He clearly poses a risk to children."

The defendant of Kings Road, Basingstoke, admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children and to breaching a sexual risk order.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “The ease with which McNaughton appears to have amassed this enormous collection of indecent images shows the disturbing accessibility of this kind of content online.

“Children continue to be put unacceptably at risk by the online world. The Government must prioritise the Online Safety Bill and deliver this crucial piece of legislation without further delay to ensure tech firms stop preventable harm to children.”

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court this week he was jailed for 30 months.

PC Tickner added: "I am glad to see that he is now behind bars. He will have strict conditions imposed upon him when he is released from prison.

“I hope this investigation highlights our commitment to keeping children in our community safe and that we will do everything we can to ensure offenders are put before the courts.”

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