A SECURITY guard caught sleeping had been using the firm's computers to download pornographic photographs.

And inquiries revealed that he had indecent photographs of children on computers at his home and he had failed to reveal previous convictions when he applied for the job.

Ricky Daniel Belt, 23, of Wood Street, Hapton, had previously pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage, a job, by deception and five charges of possessing indecent photographs of children.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months with a condition that he attends the community sex offender group work programme.

He was also placed on the sex offender register for five years.

David Macro, prosecuting, said that when Belt applied for a job with Guardhall Security, Blackburn, he failed to declare previous convictions for assault, burglary and theft.

He was working on site when the managing director found him asleep.

A computer expert found the computer had been used to visit soft porn internet sites. As a result Belt's home address was searched, two computers seized and the images of children found.

When interviewed, Belt told police he was not a paedophile.

He said:" I'm quite happy in my relationship. I like to view naked women like everyone else."

Stephen Parker, defending, said a high proportion of the images found on the computers were of adults.

"Some were dressed to make them look young but the vast majority were not under age," said Mr Parker.

"He is not someone who has made a deliberate attempt to look at women who were under age."