A SURVEYOR caught with over 2,000 child sex abuse images on his laptop has escaped jail. Kiernan Connolly, 36, of Garden Close in Harpenden, was given a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to attend an internet sex offenders programme by a judge at

A SURVEYOR caught with over 2,000 child sex abuse images on his laptop has escaped jail.

Kiernan Connolly, 36, of Garden Close in Harpenden, was given a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to attend an internet sex offenders' programme by a judge at St Albans Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Chrimes said police executed a search warrant at Connolly's home last June and seized an Apple Mac laptop.

Connolly made a full confession that he had downloaded the photographs two or three times a week. They were mostly of young boys aged between five and six up to pre-teen or pre-pubescent. He accepted that he masturbated while looking at the images, Mr Chrimes said.

The computer was analysed by experts who found 1,901 photos at Level 1, the least serious level, 166 at Level 2, 89 at Level 3, 110 at Level 4 and four at Level 5.

Connolly appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making indecent photographs of children and one of indecent photographs. He had been cautioned in 2005 after police found 90 photos of between Level 1 and 4 on his computer.

Defence barrister Lisa Wilding said Connolly recognised he needed help and had to commit to any court order.

Mr Justice Cooke told Connolly: "Photographs of this kind tend to perpetuate the abuse of children."

He passed a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years with a condition that he is supervised for two years and attends the Internet Sex Offenders' Course. He must pay �500 costs and register as a sex offender for 10 years.

The judge also ordered the destruction of the computer.