A NAVY seaman who served during the war in Iraq downloaded indecent images of children from the Internet, a court heard yesterday.

Christopher Carey, 24, who is studying at South Tyneside College to upgrade his officer status in the Merchant Navy, was arrested during an international crackdown.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Carey was serving at sea when officers raided his mother's house in Hazelrigg, Newcastle, in October last year.

Caroline Goodwin, prosecuting, told the court how almost 100 images were found on two of Carey's computers.

Another of Carey's computers were seized from his grandmother's home, containing 75 photographs.

Shaun Routledge, in mitigation, told the court Carey had no previous convictions.

Carey, of Melness Road, Hazelrigg, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two charges of making indecent images of children between August and September last year.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing 85 indecent images of young children in October last year.

He was given a three-year Community Rehabilitation Order and ordered to pay £648 court costs. He must register as a sex offender for five years.