A computer programmer was jailed for four months after being caught with 285 photos of children being sexually abused.

Frank Taylor, 56, of Greenways, South Benfleet, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to eight counts of making an indecent photo of a child and one count of possessing an indecent photo of a child on his computer between May 2002 and May 2005.

Child pornography is graded on a level from one to five, with the latter showing the worst possible material.

Judge Deborah Taylor told the defendant: "I have viewed these images and the level three and level two pictures show children under ten years old in abusive circumstances which are wholly wrong. I have no doubt that any right-minded person would think so.

"You kept them for your sexual gratification. Children have to be protected from sexual exploitation and downloading of this type of material contributes to this kind of abuse and further exploitation."

Judge Taylor also banned the defendant from ever working with children and imposed a sexual offences prevention order on him.

The order prohibits him from working or being alone with anyone under the age of 16, living in a house where anyone under 16 is present, and from associating with any sex offenders.

Colin Webb, counsel for Taylor, said his client had shown remorse for his actions and was eager to seek help to stop him committing any further offences.

Mr Webb said there was no suggestion Taylor had shown the photos - most of which were at the lowest level - to anyone else.

He also said Taylor had admitted deliberately downloading the pictures when he was interviewed by the Probation Service.

Taylor was ordered to sign on the sex offenders register for seven years.