A WELL-RESPECTED young man downloaded child pornography from the Internet "out of curiosity, and as a risk", a court heard yesterday.

Ross Laidler, 26, who works in computer graphics, yesterday narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after a judge at Durham Crown Court took "an exceptional course".

The court heard that Laidler used an account name, "Vampire", to download 112 indecent still and moving images of children, including 15 in the second-most serious category of depravity.

Police visited his home in Durham in July 2004 and removed computer equipment on which files were found stored.

The court heard that the files were downloaded from news groups between June and October 2002.

Laidler told police he stored them to occasionally look at, "out of curiosity", but said he did not distribute them to other people.

Laidler, of previous good character, admitted 17 charges of making indecent images of a child and one of possessing indecent images.

Stephen Duffield, in mitigation, conceded that such offences fell in the guideline category for a prison sentence of six to 12 months.

Urging Judge Peter Armstrong against jailing his client, Mr Duffield said Laidler was fully co-operative and made early admissions.

He said a psychiatrist who examined Laidler came to the conclusion that he poses no risk to children, and that he found no sexual gratification in such images.

He said: "It was something done stupidly, criminally, he accepts that, but simply as a matter of curiosity, taking a risk."

Mr Duffield handed testimonials relating to Laidler's good character to the judge, from his family, employer and his mother's accountant.

He said: "Not only is he a man of good character, he is well regarded in the family, by his employer, who considers he works well, and is trustworthy."

Judge Armstrong said such offences merited custody, but, because of all the mitigating factors, he was just able to suspend the sentence.

He said: "These images are repulsive to any right-thinking member of the public, and it is a sadness to see someone of your good character getting involved in a case of this nature."

He imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Laidler, of Bradford Crescent, Gilesgate, to sign on the sex offenders' register for five years.

He must also pay £150 court costs.