A pervert who amassed more than 20,000 indecent images of children has narrowly been spared jail.

John Turner, 67, previously of Marshall Road in Gillingham, was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting 20 charges.

Judge Griffiths-Jones ruled that Turner, now of High Street, Hadlow near Tonbridge, should be placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

He must also complete the sexual offenders' treatment programme and will remain under supervision for two years.

A warrant was executed at Turner’s Gillingham address in February 2009.

He was arrested and bailed pending further investigation and was charged in March 2010.

Officers also discovered thousands of images and more than 24 hours of video footage depicting the horrific abuse of children.

Turner admitted 12 charges of making indecent images of children and eight charges of possessing indecent images of children.

DC Mikaela Stevens said: "There is no excuse for looking at or downloading indecent images of children.

"Those who do so should feel just as responsible for the suffering these children are subjected to as those who carry out the actual abuse."