A PERVERT who collected more than 40,000 indecent images of children over more than a decade was caught out when he uploaded a single image to the dark web.

Judge Phillip Parry said John Conroy, 43, had a “breathtaking number” of illegal images when he appeared before him to face sentence.

Conroy, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, also had four extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality, and prohibited images of children stored on his electronic devices, Preston Crown Court heard.

When officers searched his flat on the morning of November 17 2017, Conroy said: “It is me. I will own up. It’s nothing to do with my partner,” and handed over his passwords.

Officers seized a number of devices including a Lenovo tower computer and a Dell tower computer, which were sent for analysis.

A total of 5,000 images of the most serious category A were discovered, along with 7,332 at category B and 32,398 images at category C.

Conroy pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, possession of extreme pornography and possession of prohibited images.

However he vehemently denied having any sexual attraction to children.

Judge Phillip Parry, sentencing, said: “You are completely in denial if you maintain that nearly 40,000 images collected over a decade is anything other than a sexual interest in young boys and girls.

“I find quite readily that you do have an entrenched pattern of sexual offending.”

After reading a pre-sentence report, Judge Parry said he could suspend the sentence he passed to enable Conroy to complete a sex offender’s treatment programme.

He handed him a two year sentence suspended for two years, with a treatment requirement and 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The judge added: “If I ever see you again, or find out you have not taken this opportunity to rid yourself of this addiction which you plainly have, you will be going to prison."

“Have I made myself clear?”

Conroy replied: “Yes, Your Honour.”