A DRINKER who was spotted viewing child pornography in his local pub has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Nicholas Watson had his laptop out at a table as he had an afternoon pint when fellow customers were concerned about what he was watching.

After calling in the police their fears were proved to be correct as the 62-year-old, of Winsley Road, Bradford on Avon, was found to have tens of thousands of images of child abuse on the computer.

But a judge suspended a jail sentence on Monday, saying society would be better protected with him getting treatment rather than being banged up inside.

After hearing he could not do unpaid work he then said he could not impose a 'punitive element' to the sentence.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how Watson had gone to The Castle Inn at Bradford on Avon in April last year.

A barmaid and another drinker saw he was looking at his computer, as he often did, and they were concerned about what they thought he was viewing.

When he realised they had called the police, he said, the pervert tried to leave, before going quietly with officers.

When they searched his home they found a number of other devices all containing movies and pictures of child abuse.

Although all were not properly counted and logged because of time constraints, Mr Meeke said it was believed there were in excess of 70,000.

On the laptop he was using in the pub he said officers uncovered 271 pictures and 28 movies in the worst category, 280 pictures and 21 films in the middle band and 77 moving images and more than 1,000 pictures at the lowest level.

He said it was also found that he had been putting terms into search engines as he tried to access the vile material.

Watson admitted making indecent images of children.

Caighli Taylor, defending, said her client was remorseful and realised he needed help for his problems.

She said he lives with his mum, who suffers from Alzheimer's and he is her full time carer.

He is also been found to have a lung mass, which while probably an infection and not cancer, makes him unwell.

Passing sentence Judge Jason Taylor QC said "You have an addiction: unless that addiction is addressed you will seek out these images again."

He imposed a 24-month jail term suspended for two years with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

Because of his health he said he was unable to imposed a 'punitive element' to the sentence but imposed a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years.