A PAEDOPHILE pensioner breached a sexual offences prevention order by secretly downloading child pornography.

John Stuart Blackie, now 75, was forbidden from accessing the internet other than in a public library for work or study purposes, under the terms of the order passed as part of a custodial sentence.

It was imposed when Blackie, then living at Prendwick Close, Chester-le-Street, was jailed for 30-months, at Durham Crown Court, on December 22, 2009, after admitting 21 charges relating to the downloading, distribution and possession of 7,627 offending images of children.

But Blackie was brought back before the court today (Friday May 10) after admitting breaching the order since his release from prison.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting, said police received “intelligence” over his internet use and officers visited Blackie’s latest home address, in Hilda Park, Chester-le-Street, on April 14.

A search of the property uncovered a laptop computer and external hard drive hidden in a plastic shopping bag in the dishwasher.

Examination of the lap top revealed searches for paedophilia, while the hard drive contained thousands of indecent images of children.

Mr O’Brien said when interviewed Blackie made frank admissions, saying he swapped indecent child images on a Russian website, “like swapping cigarette cards.”

He told interviewing officers that he believed some of the children featured “appeared to be enjoying themselves.”

The court heard that having been released from prison on licence on March 24, 2011, his 30-month sentence fully expired on June 22, 2012.

Blackie told police he bought the laptop 20 days later.

Tony Davis, for Blackie, told the court: “He was open and honest about his activities as soon as he was confronted.

“He accepts he has a problem and needs to address it. He hopes to get that assistance while he is in prison.”

Recorder Bryan Cox jailed Blackie for a further two years and ordered forfeiture and destruction of the laptop and hard drive.

The terms of the sexual offences prevention order, imposed when he was last sentenced in 2009, will remain in force for an unlimited period.

Blackie must continue to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.