A SOUTHAMPTON pensioner downloaded images of children being abused while he was bored during lockdown, a court heard.

Neil Hopkinson said that an "element of curiosity" led him to downloading indecent images of youngsters.

Prosecution barrister, Matthew Lawson, said that the 71-year-old's home in Furze Close was raided by police after he shared a picture in an online chatroom.

Officers seized a computer tower containing eight images showing child abuse. 

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Hopkinson was charged with three counts of making an indecent image of a child, and distributing an indecent image of a child.

He pleaded guilty to the offences committed in May 2020. 

Defending, Richard Tutt, said his client's wife was undergoing dialysis and the country was in lockdown.

Hopkinson was spending more and more time on the internet and started going to chatrooms.

He was bored and "looking for adult pornography", Mr Tutt said. 

The barrister added that "relatively few" images were found, in inaccessible areas of the computer because he believed he had deleted them.

He admitted being "appalled and shocked" by what he had done.

But Judge Christopher Parker QC said it was apparent that he had a "clear sexual interest in children" for quite some time.

However, he gave him a suspended sentence for the sake of his wife, who needs continual healthcare.

"You are the only person who can provide the help she needs," Judge Parker said.

Hopkinson was jailed for nine months, suspended for two years.

He must do 45 rehabilitation activity days and handed ten year a sexual harm prevention order.

Furthermore, he must pay £600 costs.

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