A PENSIONER who stashed indecent images of children on hard drives was reminded of the “exploited victims” at the heart of his offending.

John Nixon, 72, denied he had an attraction to children, despite the fact more than 100 indecent images of children were found on devices at his home.

Ipswich Crown Court heard police searched Nixon’s address, in St Peter’s Street, Colchester, after they became suspicious at his activity in an online chat room.

They seized a laptop, a USB stick and two external hard drives.

On these devices, police found 40 images at category A, 11 at category B and 84 at category C.

They also found 21 extreme pornographic images.

Nixon admitted three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images.

The court heard in interview, Nixon denied knowledge of how the images came to be on the devices and insisted he did not have an attraction to children.

A pre-sentence report highlighted medical issues faced by Nixon and the “difficulty” he had faced throughout 2016.

The court heard Nixon had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Recorder Jeremy Benson QC said: “You must understand the courts take these offences seriously.

“The reason being that the children that appear in these videos and or pictures are being exploited, and if there is a demand for them then children will continue to be exploited.

“I take into account your age and your previous good character.

“I also take into account that you were originally arrested on August 19, 2017.

“The time you’ve been waiting for sentence to be passed is not your responsibility and I know you’ve had this hanging over you for some three years.”

Nixon was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He must complete a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement and undertake 50 hours of unpaid work.

He will be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for seven years.