A north Belfast man caught with images of child pornography on computer equipment was made the subject of a three-year probation order after appearing in court.
Morris Johnston (45) from Filor Court, admitted 11 counts of making indecent images of children between January 2010 and June 2015.
Belfast Crown Court heard that Johnston was arrested after information was received by the National Crime Agency indicating that the internet was being used at an address in Newtownabbey to download and access indecent images.
A Crown prosecutor said a search was carried out on June 4 of this year. As no-one was present when they arrived, officers forced entry. During the search both occupants returned.
When the couple - Johnston and his partner - were told the reason for the search, the female said she knew nothing about indecent images. Johnston, however, said he was responsible. He then directed officers to a computer tower in a downstairs room which he said he used to access and download images of children.
A defence solicitor said most of the images were in the lower level of severity.
He also revealed that in around 2010 Johnston downloaded child porn images "by accident" and that in March of this year Johnston "saw images which quite disgusted him."
Judge Kerr said that Johnston has already served, in effect, a 12-month prison sentence, before making him the subject of a probation order.
