A MAN was caught by the National Crime Agency after uploading and sharing indecent images showing the sexual abuse of pre-pubescent girls.

Stephen Knight, a former television engineer, of Edinburgh Road, Freshwater, appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday.

The 58-year-old admitted three counts of possessing to show or distribute indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.

Four of the photos were category A — the most graphic and serious kind.

He also admitted possession of two extreme pornographic images portraying an act of intercourse with an animal.

Prosecutor, James Kellam, said on being caught, Knight showed officers the images and admitting having file-sharing software to share them with a small number of other people.

Francisca Dacosta, representing Knight, said there was no attempt to minimise the gravity of his behaviour, but there had been relatively few images and few shares.

She said Knight used to own his own shop but was now not working due to ill health, and his offending arose due to his wife's illness, and the Covid pandemic, combining to create a "sad vacuum" in his life.

He has been honest with his family, who have decided to support him, Ms Dacosta said.

He regrets the shame and worry his offending has caused his family.

He was given 21 months in custody, suspended for two years.

He will be subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.