Found with more than 9,000 child abuse images in his possession.

A married father of two, who used the online username 'Jimmy Savile' and possessed over 9,000 child abuse images, has avoided a prison sentence.

Police seized electronic devices from Joseph Pond's home last year, which revealed the disturbing content. The 53-year-old, who now resides in Belfast but previously lived in Morpeth, was arrested at his home while in the presence of his wife and children.

Pond pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad stated that intelligence from the National Crime Agency led police to Pond's residence after indecent images were uploaded to the internet via Yahoo using an IP address linked to his home. A forensic analysis of his mobile phone, which he was holding at the time of his arrest, confirmed the presence of the indecent images.

The court was informed that the seized devices contained 2,224 category A images with 37 videos, 2,211 category B images with eight videos, 4,649 category C images with five videos, and 2,493 borderline images that were not illegal. The ages of the children depicted in the material ranged from infants to 11 years old.

Pond admitted to using the username 'Jimmy Savile' to signal his intentions to other users. He claimed that he would view and then delete the images using special software but would subsequently re-download them.

Claire Anderson, Pond's defense attorney, argued that his childhood trauma had never been addressed and contributed to his actions. She stated that Pond's experiences had led him to live two "different versions of himself," acknowledging his clear sexual interest in children.

In passing sentence, Judge Mr. Recorder Mark McKone acknowledged the public's expectation of an immediate prison sentence for such offenses. He stated that he had to weigh the seriousness of the crimes against the potential for rehabilitation.

The judge acknowledged Pond's previous law-abiding life, his immediate admission in interview, and his battle with the case. However, he emphasized that "People never get a second chance for these types of offences."

Pond was also subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender for the same period.