A "BORED" man fell into an online Facebook paedophile ring and hoarded thousands of child sex abuse pictures and movies that included toddlers and ones of children and animals.
John Hanning, of Lyndhurst Drive, Bicknacre, used his stash of more than 8,600 images and films in sickening "trades" for ones he preferred, Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Thursday (July 31).
And among the 61-year-old's depraved stockpile was a picture of a naked 13-year-old girl who had written obscene messages on her legs in reference to Hanning after they chatted online.
The haul was found after police became aware of his activities and raided his cousin's home in February last year.
Richard Stevens, prosecuting, said: "He started looking at images six years ago as he was bored.
"He joined a Facebook group when a male approached him online to talk about sexual interests. He asserted he was never interested in children before, but it was introduced to him."
Hanning, who was of previous good character, downloaded 8,418 indecent images and 162 indecent movies of children between June 2008 and February last year, along with 162 pictures of people having sex with animals.
He also distributed 73 of the obscene images.
Sarah Read, mitigating, said: "These offences were committed at a time when he lacked employment, he had limited social interaction and it was borne out of loneliness and solitude – but that does not justify the severity of these offences.
"He knows he faces a considerable sentence."
Judge Patricia Lynch jailed Hanning for five years.
He was also made to pay £120 costs.
See the full report in Thursday's (August 7) Essex Chronicle.
