A SICK pervert who downloaded more than a thousand indecent images of children has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Nicholas Graham was caught with the disgusting photographs on his electronic devices after police discovered what he was up to.

The 51-year-old was charged with being in possession of indecent images of children, having amassed a huge collection over a period of more than three years.

Between April 2016 and August 2019, the Whitecross man was found to have collected 1,162 examples of the depraved material.

The defendant was also charged with three counts of making indecent images of children by downloading them.

Of these, 12 images were graded as category A – the worst category involving child rape.

Following a forensic examination of his devices, police also discovered that he was in possession of seven category B images and 1,143 rated as category C.

In addition, Graham was convicted of being in possession of five extreme pornographic images involving animals.

He appeared before judge Garrett Byrne at Liverpool Crown Court last Thursday, where the Lovely Lane resident was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He must also complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, abide by an electronically monitored curfew and undergo an alcohol treatment requirement programme.

Graham was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, and he must also sign the sex offender register for the same length of time.