Brian Sharp, 54, was spared jail partly because of his “exemplary character”, Perth Sheriff Court heard.

Material seized from his Perth home by police included pictures of children, some of whom were younger than six.

Sharp, who admitted the pictures on 15 August, was also put on the sex offenders’ register and ordered to receive counselling.

Police raided his home after they received a tip-off that the images were being downloaded from the internet on to Sharp’s computer.

Officers, who discovered about 1,105 pictures of children mostly between the ages of six and 15, found them on two discs.

images

The court heard that Sharp, who was diagnosed as diabetic and required an operation to remove a brain tumour, was left “virtually impotent” and began to look at sites containing children while he was from the procedure at home.

Sharp was placed on probation for two years and his details were added to the sex offenders’ register for the same period.

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “His wife and children are still very supportive of him, which is a testament to them.”

Sheriff Robert told the first offender: “The images are horrendous, as I am sure you recognise.

“I am having regard to the fact you would lose your job and it would cause financial hardship to your family, and you pled guilty at the first .”

The sheriff added: “I also have regard to your character which has been exemplary.”