A BERROW man has been spared jail after police discovered indecent images and videos of young girls on his laptop and tablet when he surrendered his devices to them in relation to another matter.

Shane Purmanund, 33, of Hurn Lane, admitted three counts of possession of indecent images of a child at a hearing at Taunton Crown Court on Thursday (January 17).

Prosecuting Patrick Mason told the court Purmanund was arrested on November 16, 2018, in relation to another matter and the following day surrendered his laptop and tablet to police.

The court heard during their investigation police found more than 20 indecent videos and images of 'teen hardcore' pornography on Purmanund's devices and questioned him further about it.

Defending, Harry Ahuja, said Purmanund starting regularly using adult pornography sites after his relationship with his ex partner started to break down in 2015 and he developed a 'curiosity' for teen hardcore porn.

Mr Ahuja said Purmanund used to work in the care industry but lost his job and contact with his children since the offences in July 2015.

He said: "He remains supportive of his parents who are his main focus.

"Unfortunately he sadly lost his sister to cancer last summer so he has been helping his parents get through that.

"He accepts responsibility for what he has done and is keen to work with probation."

When sentencing Purmanund, Judge David Ticehurst, said the 33-year-old should be 'utterly ashamed' of his actions.

He said: "It could have been your children in one of those videos. just think about that for a second.

"These children have parents who will have to learn to deal with this.

"It is an appalling thing for any decent human being to do, particularly one who has young children, particularly one who worked in the care industry.

"You should be utterly ashamed of yourself."

Judge Ticehurst sentenced Purmanund to a two year community order, ordered him to attend the Horizons Sexual Offender group, ordered him to complete a rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He also made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, put him on the sex offenders register for five years and ordered him to pay £1,000 in costs and a £85 statutory surcharge.