Police raided the home of 34-year-old Arran Horne, from Alderson Road in Great Yarmouth, in December 2023 after suspicions he had been downloading illegal material.
During the search, officers seized several devices, a computer tower, a laptop, and a USB stick all containing unlawful content. In total, 3,264 indecent images were discovered, including 614 categorised as Category A, the most serious type. Police also uncovered 63 Category A videos.
Prosecutor Peter Gair told Norwich Crown Court that the images featured children, including newborn babies, being raped and visibly in distress.
Horne previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, as well as possessing extreme pornographic and prohibited images.
Judge Andrew Shaw said each image represented “an occasion somewhere in the world where a child has been sexually abused,” adding that such abuse only happens because “men like you create a market for these images.”
However, the judge recognised Horne’s early guilty plea and his lack of previous convictions. He imposed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Defence barrister Danielle O’Donovan said Horne had provided a full account early in the investigation and was someone who “clearly needs help.”
Horne was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.
He must also complete up to 35 days of rehabilitation and carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work.
