THE father of murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl was spared jail yesterday after he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent photographs of children taken from the Internet.

Brian Nicholl, 49, had more than 2,000 photos on his computer, which police examined after 19-year-old Jenny vanished in June last year.

Detectives say the teenage shop worker was murdered, but her body has not been found, despite a huge police search and publicity campaign.

Nicholl, of Bolton Avenue, Richmond, North Yorkshire, was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order after he pleaded guilty to 16 specimen charges dating from May 28 to June 18, last year.

He was ordered to undertake a six-week sex offender's course run by Northumbria Probation Service, and was banned for life from working with children.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Nicholl's life had been destroyed by the disappearance of his daughter, who would now be aged 20.

Sarah Mallett, in mitigation, said: "This court cannot inflict a punishment any way as severe that this defendant has suffered in the 11 months since the offences were committed.

"The difficulties have been further exacerbated by the publicity generated in relation to his daughter's investigation.

"The level of stress to the defendant and his family is unimaginable."

David Brooke, prosecuting, and Judge Tony Briggs both stressed that Nicholl was not a suspect in the murder inquiry.

Ms Mallett said Nicholl pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been looking at pages of thumbnail images, but was only interested in the milder pornography.

He joined the Army aged 16 and reached the rank of major, but was suspended after his arrest on 8 August, last year.

He was due to retire next year after a career that has taken him around the world. His wife, Ann, and their two sons are standing by him.

Miss Mallett said Nicholl's downfall began when he received an unsolicited e-mail for adult pornography.

Judge Briggs told him: "You have contributed a great deal to the service of this country.

"Your career ... could not possibly have been achieved without a great deal of dedication and ability. It is a great tragedy that you have thrown that away in the actions of extraordinary stupidity over a very short period of time."

The police hunt for Jenny was launched when her car was found at the Holly Hill Inn, on the outskirts of Richmond four days after she was last seen.

In November, detectives said they believed the Co-op worker had been murdered.

Several suspects have been questioned, but no charges have been brought and her body has not been found.

During an earlier appeal for information, Jenny's mother described her as a lovely, caring young person who was a talented guitarist..