A man who once ran a computer repair shop felt shame after downloading child porn, a judge heard on Friday when he made a two-year community order.

Clive Whittaker, 62, now retired, admitted making hundreds of indecent images. But Caernarfon crown court heard police found a further 45,000 uncategorised images of children after forcing entry into his home in Pen y Bryn, Llanfairfechan, last September.

Defence barrister Sion ap Mihangel said :”Shame is the overriding sentiment. He’s ashamed about what he has done. He knows he needs help.”

Judge Huw Rees made a sexual harm prevention order and Whittaker must register as a sex offender for five years.

He said the community order wasn’t a “soft option.”

Judge Rees told married Whittaker :”By the nature of the images and ages of the children, it’s easy to conclude these children would have been vulnerable. Showing any perverted interest creates a demand for further abuse of children to take place.”

He added :”I am glad to hear you are ashamed.”