AN English teacher who downloaded more than 320,000 child sex abuse images has avoided a prison sentence.

Stuart Anderson, aged 51, of Chepstow Road, Newport, was caught after he took his laptop to be fixed at an IT business in the city.

Jenny Yeo, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court how staff there became so concerned with what they found that they contacted police.

She said a warrant was executed on October 30, 2018, and Anderson was arrested at the house where he lived with his elderly parents.

Judge Timothy Petts heard how the defendant had downloaded 321,080 category C images, classified as the least serious, one at category A, the most severe, and 136 category B photographs.

Anderson pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images.

Ms Yeo said that the defendant told detectives: “He was relieved he had been caught as he was aware he had a problem.

“He told them he had downloaded the images for approximately two years and had a particular interest in girls aged between 12 and 15.”

The prosecutor said Anderson had taught English overseas and had travelled extensively throughout South East Asia where he had bought DVDs of a similar nature to his offences, but no longer had them.

She told the court that he had no previous convictions.

Kevin Seal, mitigating, said: “This has brought acute embarrassment to him and his elderly parents.”

He argued that a custodial sentence imposed on his client “would not assist him in any way” and claimed Anderson needed professional help to deal with his problem.

Mr Seal said: “Custody alone will have no effect. He should have full credit for his guilty pleas and he has already spent three weeks in custody.”

The judge told Anderson: “Those who download and view this material for their sexual gratification play their part in perpetuating the abuse of children.”

He added: “You have already spent three weeks in prison and that must have been an eye-opener for you.”

Judge Petts said he thought society would be best served if he imposed a sentence that would help rehabilitate the defendant.

He imposed a two-year community order, a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 300 hours of unpaid work.

Anderson must also register as a sex offender for five years and be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

He must also pay £340 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.