A JUDGE has blasted a 69-year-old from Darwen who was caught with indecent images of children.

James Cuthbert Morrison was appearing for sentence at Preston Crown Court after he was caught with more than 50 indecent images of children in February last year.

Passing sentence, Judge Heather Lloyd told him that most people would be disgusted by the material Morrison was caught out with.

"These children have no choice in what is happening to them," said Judge Lloyd.

The judge said that they were only subjected to such an ordeal so people like Morrison could view indecent images of them.

The court heard that Morrison had told probation officers he accepted that what he had done was wrong.

But Judge Lloyd said she still had concerns that the defendant did not fully accept the impact of his offending.

The judge told him she was "still a little skeptical" about his attitude and did not know how he was going to explain his behaviour to his immediate family, when he returned home.

Morrison, of St John's Street, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images, at a plea and trial preparation hearing on January 15. One of the charges involved images, rated as Category A by the authorities the most serious level of offending.

The offences were alleged to have taken place between January 1, 2017, and February 7, 2018.

He also admitted to possession of 56 indecent images of children.

Morrison, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to a two-year community order, including 30 days of rehabilitation activities, which will be overseen by the probation service, and 100 hours community service.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for five years, to keep police informed of his whereabouts, and a five-year sexual harm prevention order, limiting his future internet usage.

Judge Lloyd also ordered a review of his sentence, in six months time, and asked the probation service to prepare an updated report on him, to monitor his progress.

She told the court she had taken into account his guilty plea and the fact he appeared to have shown some remorse for his actions, when interviewed by probation officers.