A Southampton paedophile who spends his benefits money on gaming was caught with more than 800 indecent images of children on his phones.
Thomas Mills, 39, was caught when police visited his home address and seized two mobile phones, Southampton Crown Court heard.
On the devices, an iPhone and a black mobile phone, officers found 195 Category A indecent images – the most severe kind – as well as 266 of Category B and 345 of Category C.
Ten of these were videos and depicted children as young as four being abused.
The court heard how Mills, who committed the offences in Southampton, is not able to work and is on benefits, which he spends on gaming.
READ MORE: Marchwood Navy officer died from gun wound on board HMS Cattistock
Judge Nicholas Rowland said these are “serious offences” and told Mills that children are abused “for the gratification of people like you looking at images on the screen”.
The judge said Mills lives a “restricted life, spending [his] time in front of the screen".
“I am not sure that is a good thing for you to be doing Thomas Mills," he added.
Mills, who is currently living in West Bridgford, Nottingham, was arrested but answered no comment to all questions when interviewed.
Prosecutor, Helen Easterbrook said the offences relate to the downloading of images which he had in his possession for over a year on one device and six and a half months on the other.
The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornography.
But in the pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service, it says he “denies any sexual interest in children”.
Mitigating, Grace McConnell said her client has “mental health difficulties” and suffers from agoraphobia and germaphobia and is “on benefits as he is not able to work”.
She added: “With hindsight, he can see the inevitable harm that has been caused to those children.
“He is an individual of previous good character. He has never been seen before the court before.”
Mills, who wore a facemask throughout his sentencing hearing, claims he was abused as a child.
But Ms Easterbrook said: “There are no records within Hampshire Police in that he reported the abuse that he relied on," but accepted that this could have been reported elsewhere.
She also told the court that no medical evidence had been provided to demonstrate his mental health difficulties.
Mills was sentenced to nine months in prison but suspended for 18 months.
He must complete up to 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a £1,000 fine, with 28 days imprisonment in default if he fails to pay.
He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years and notification requirements for ten years.
The judge ordered the deprivation of the two seized devices.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article