A THEATRE lighting expert who downloaded child porn from the Internet was today starting a three month jail term.

Richard Ianson, 22, a prominent member of Brierfield Baptist Church who also worked for a group promoting the arts across East Lancashire, had more than 200 obscene images on his computer, magistrates heard.

District Judge Paul Firth said although those who viewed indecent pictures of children may not think so, there was always a victim -- and in some cases a seriously abused victim.

He told Ianson some of the images he had deliberately downloaded were "particularly disturbing" and added: "They are images of degrading activity. Images of child abuse. Images for which another person, not you, made financial profit.

"The person or persons who make profit could not do so unless you and others pay to view these images. That's the seriousness of this offending."

Ianson, of Victoria Avenue, Brierfield, had admitted five charges of making an indecent photo or pseudo photo of a child, between December 1 last year and January 23. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

Emma Keogh, prosecuting, told Burnley magistrates that the defendant, was arrested in the police swoop Operation Nickel. She said the children in the pictures were between ten and 14 and when police questioned Ianson he admitted he used the computer seized and nobody else did.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said there was no suggestion Ianson distributed the images or made any financial gain and he was very frank with the police. When they turned up, he told them: "I have been expecting you."

The pictures were on the defendant's hard drive and there was no evidence he had been printing them off, he said.

At the time of his arrest, Ianson had been working for Mid Pennine Arts but had lost his job because of what he had done.

Mr Ireland told the court a letter to the court from his former employer spoke very highly of his client and Ianson may now have difficulty in finding another job.

Mr Ireland added the defendant came from a supportive family who were all in court. He said they would help him through a stringent community punishment order if the court were to impose one.

District Judge Firth, who had read references on Ianson's behalf, said although the defendant had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, co-operated with the police, had no previous convictions and was formerly of "positive good character," the offences were so serious only custody could be justified.

Mid Pennine Arts is an independent agency for East Lancashire, working in partnership with Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale Councils to promote the arts.