WHEN police raided a house in Tomkinson Drive, Kidderminster, they found a computer containing indecent images of children, a court was told.

One of the occupants, printer Lee Mansell, suggested that other people living at the property could have used the machine, said prosecutor Paul Whitfield.

But after further searches of the hard drive and the analysis of thumb-nail pictures, 35-year-old Mansell admitted at Worcester Crown Court that he was responsible for the 81 indecent images. Only two were at the most serious level.

Mansell, now living in Archers Close, Droitwich, was given a three-year community order which will be supervised by the probation service. He must also attend a sex offenders programme and take part in specified activity. He was ordered to pay £600 costs.

Samantha Powis, defending, said Mansell had been taking drugs when his relationship with a woman broke up. But he had referred himself to a treatment centre and was concerned to do the best for his son.

Recorder Rachel Brand QC said Mansell seemed genuinely ashamed of conduct which was repugnant to many people. But Mansell had taken steps to cure his drug addiction. She made a sex offender prevention order and ordered him to sign on the sex register for five years.