A SOUTH Lakeland pensioner has picked up his first criminal convictions - for downloading and possessing indecent images of children.

David Charles Cecil Johnson, 66, was sentenced by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court today having admitted five offences.

These were three charges of making indecent photographs of a child; one of possessing the illicit material; and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Police discovered Johnson had broken the law after visiting his home in March last year. More than 200 illegal photos and movies - some featuring children "as young as three or four" - were found on his computer equipment.

Scores of the images were classed in category A - the most serious.

The court heard Johnson, a man with no previous convictions, committed the crimes out of "curiosity". He was said to be "remorseful" for what he had done.

Having heard mitigation, Judge Tony Lancaster suspended a 12-month prison sentence for two years. Johnson, of Lowther Gardens, Grange-over-Sands, must sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years, and complete a rehabilitation requirement.

He was also made subject to the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Judge Lancaster told Johnson: "It is sad that at 66 you should find yourself in court facing criminal charges such as these."