A TEENAGER was found with more than 1,848 indecent images and 257 videos of children stored on computers, a court heard.

The 16-year-old, from County Durham, who cannot be identified because of his age, started viewing such images when he was just 13-years-old.

Durham Police found the still images and videos, ranging in severity from level one to level five, the most serious, on his computer equipment.

District Judge Martin Walker, sitting in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, heard that the teenager admitted 15 charges of making indecent or pseudo indecent images of a child.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of distributing indecent images of pseudo-indecent images of a child and one of possession of indecent or pseudo-indecent images of a child.

A pre-sentence report was submitted and Andy Clinton, defending, offered no further mitigation.

The judge said those who viewed indecent images merely encouraged the further exploitation and sexual abuse of children.

The teenager was sentenced to a nine month referral order with children’s services. He must also pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.