A pervert who downloaded indecent images of children has been told it was an "awful thing" which "re-victimised" youngsters.
Police searched John Moor's place of employment and home after receiving intelligence about his work IP address had been involved in illegal activity.
Newcastle Crown Court heard there was no evidence he had distributed them but he had been in contact with others online who were interested in similar material.
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Devices, including two mobile phones, were seized and a total, 35 of the most serious, category A images, 29 category B and 150 category C were discovered.
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said: "He said he found them online, downloaded them, viewed them, deleted them but didn't realise a record of them remained..
"He had got married and became a father and he had put this behind him.
"But he admitted being sexually aroused by viewing the images."
The 38-year-old, of Octavia Court, Wallsend, who has no previous convictions, admitted three counts of making indecent images, possessing 31 prohibited cartoon images and possessing an offensive weapon - an extendable baton found in his car, which he said he had for self-defence after being the victim of car crime previously.
He was sentenced to 14 months suspended for two years with ten-year sex offender registration and a sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Stephen Earl said: "Every time an image is viewed or downloaded it creates a victim.
"Every time someone downloads an image of a young person they don't want on the internet, particularly when they have been victimised, you have re-victimised them.
"If you knew the child, can you imagine the sort of horror you would have.
"That's why it's such an awful thing."
Mark Harrison, defending, said he was remorseful and that the offences happened over the space of a week.
He has since sought help from various organisations.
Mr Harrison added that Moor's marriage broke down and he has only been allowed supervised access to his young son.
He has also been subject to threats and abuse, including in a WhatsApp group with former colleagues, the court heard.
