A 36-YEAR-OLD man caught with more than 4,000 indecent images of children as young as six has been ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Andrew Taylor, of Havelock Street in Hawick, amassed the haul between October 2019 and April last year.

The court heard more than 100 of the images and nine of the videos fell into the most serious Category A.

Procurator fiscal Alasdair Fay said Taylor’s former partner reported him to police after finding a disturbing image on his mobile phone.

A total of 1,237 were later identified on the mobile following a forensic search, with a further 3,308 discovered on a laptop seized from the accused.

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Defence lawyer Ross Dow revealed his client had developed a “morbid curiosity” over the offending images as a result of him allegedly being neglected as a child.

As well as admitting possession of the images, Taylor also pleaded guilty to taking or permitting to be taken or made indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.

Mr Dow said his client has already lost his job and partner as a result of the charges. He added he was “suitably ashamed” and seeking help.

Sheriff David Clapham told Taylor the community pay back order is a direct alternative to custody.

In addition, Taylor had his name placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.