An elderly man from Bolton downloaded pictures and videos of child pornography, a court heard. 

Roy Booth, 76, viewed the material on his own computer, which ranged from the most to least explicit child porn pictures. 

Booth, of Redcar Road in Little Lever, appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Monday, December 4 to be sentenced for his offences. 

Prosecuting, Simon Blakebrough said: "The defendant used file sharing software to obtain indecent images of children. 

"When his property was searched in an investigation he replied 'I have been doing it'." 

When police searched his computer, they found 44 still images and four videos in '"category A" - the worst kind.

There were also 50 category B still images and two videos while there were 1,285 category C still images and 40 videos.

Mr Blakebrough said: "He possessed a 'cleaner' which can hide online internet activity. 

"The ages of the children - some are as young as three, going through to 15. They are in discernible pain and distress. 

"There had been attempts to conceal or dispose of evidence. The dates and times were unclear."

Booth had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. 

Defending, Martin Pizzey said: "Often in these cases, due to the associated shame and stigma, some are not brave enough to...confront their demons. 

"Not only did he do that, but he has been cooperating with police. He has been living with the fear, upset and shame while the investigation has run its course. 

"He accepts that it is morally wrong and inappropriate and embarrassing to even consider. 

"The biggest point I can make is his candour, he recognises what he sees as a fall from grace - an absolute painful recognition that he acted in a most painful way." 

Sentencing, Recorder Jon Close said: "What was found was appalling imagery.

"Children from ages three to 15 being subjected to sexual abuse, still and in video format. 

"Each image is a child that has suffered. Each image is a child that has been raped. Each one you retained for your own selfish pleasure. 

"That there is a market for this, your downloading of this material keeps that going." 

Recorder Close gave Booth credit for his full admission and his clean record prior to this offence at the age of 76. 

He sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Booth was also ordered to keep the police updated of his whereabouts for a decade, and a sexual harm prevention order was placed for the same period of time.