A SALE man has been sentenced for possessing more than 3,000 indecent images of children.

James Geering, 22, of Marsland Road, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty at Trafford Magistrates Court on May 10 to a string of string of offences related to indecent images of children.

He faced four charges for the making of and possession of indecent images and one charge of distributing an indecent image.

The court heard how police had carried out a search warrant at Geering’s home in February last year, seizing a laptop and mobile phone.

During examination of these items, officers found 3,143 indecent mages of children, 716 of which were category A.

They also discovered that Geering had registered with a Russian website, inviting users to exchange indecent images of children and used search terms ‘boys, kids, nudes and preteens’.

He admitted when interviewed that he had posted six images of boys aged 10 to 12 on the site and invited other users to view the images.

Nicoletta Amatino, prosecuting, said that Geering had been interested in children sexually since he was 14 years old.

“He thought it was a phase, he knew it was wrong and he didn’t get help during police bail,” she added.

David Morton, defending, said that Geering’s behaviour was not something he was trying "to brush under the carpet".

“He is a young man who is treating this very seriously and he doesn’t want to be the person he has been,” said Mr Morton.

Before passing sentence, Judge Timothy Mort told a visibly upset Geering that he was “horrified” anyone could take pleasure from children being abused and called it an “abhorrent” offence.

“Every single one is a victim. You don’t see the pain in their faces. These children are forced to behave in that way and are almost immune to what is happening to them,” he said.

“These children are damaged forever, these images are on the internet forever and they themselves find difficulty forming normal relationships.”

He added: “On this occasion, you need as much help as you can get. If you move on, that’s great, show your true qualities. If you don’t, you have had your chance. You have to keep that at forefront of your mind.”

Geering was sentenced to a two-year community order and 60 days of rehabilitation, as well as a five-year sexual prevention order and five years on the sex offenders’ register. His laptop and mobile will also be destroyed.