A TEENAGER who "struggled with empathy" was found with more than 300 shocking abusive videos of children which he relentlessly searched for online.

James Risley admitted having hundreds of extreme images and videos of young children on his computers - but was still brave enough to ask a recorder to give him back the devices.

The now 20-year-old, of Albany Avenue, Westcliff, had only been 18 when police raided his home on September 5, 2019 after receiving word he had been accessing indecent material.

Upon a search of the tower computer and hard drives, a total of 241 category A images - the most serious kind - were found, along with 110 category B and 125 category A.

Hundreds of moving images - or videos - were also on there, including 343 of the most serious category.

Basildon Crown Court heard that the material included young children in distress and pain, plus images of sexual acts involving animals - otherwise known as bestiality.

Risley initially tried to downplay his sexual attraction to children, claiming to police he liked teenage girls, but eventually admitted making indecent images of children and possession of extreme and prohibited images.

READ MORE: '84 homes plan could bring noisy nuisance to our neighbours'

Mitigating, Madeleine Deasy said Risley was still very immature.

She said: "His age and lack of maturity is a factor.

"It's something that Mr Risley has recognised himself that he struggles with empathy and struggles to understand the impact it's had on others.

"He's previously experienced suicidal thoughts but it's not something that troubles him now.

"But he's not positive about his future.

"He experiences low mood and is extremely anxious about what's going to happen going forward."

When making submissions on Risley having his tower computer back, Recorder Sarah Clarke QC cut across Ms Deasy, saying: "Well, he should have thought about that before, shouldn't he?"

The recorder told Risley: "You need to understand that if you're struggling with remorse and empathy, struggler no more.

"Look at where you are now and what your offending has done for you, and think about what the offending does to the children.

"They don't have a choice that they are suffering this. You have a choice."

Recorder Clarke gave Risley 20 months detention suspended for two years, and he will be subject of a sexual harm and prevention order for five years.