A PERVERT from Gwent was jailed for three years yesterday for possessing thousands of sickening child porn images.

Lyndon Brooks, 55, of Bro Blowden Street, Newbridge, but originally from Newport, stored more than 2,600 pictures on his computer - some showing babies.

Brooks had downloaded the images for his own sexual gratification, Swansea Crown Court heard.

He was sentenced yesterday by Judge Michael Burr, who described the images as "repugnant and appalling".

The ex-electrician pleaded guilty to more than 30 charges of making and possessing child porn photographs.

Brooks downloaded the images from the internet, and was arrested after making a series of confessions to police.

His admissions came after a jury cleared him in June this year of raping a young girl. Judge Burr said of the pictures: "My sympathy goes to the police who have to deal with this on a regular basis in an attempt to bring this vile trade to an end."

Barristers defending Brooks asked for a three-year community rehabilitation order instead of a jail term, but he was told at an earlier hearing the chances of him not spending time behind bars were "extremely remote".

The judge ordered that Brooks be registered as a sex offender for life. Another court order prevents him from ever working with children.

The pictures came to light after detectives examined computer equipment he had used between 2001 and 2004, while living in the Neath Valley, near Swansea.

Brooks told police of their existence after his acquittal for rape earlier this year.

Judge Burr added he could expect to be released from prison after 18 months, but would face an extended period of parole until 2010.