A 42-YEAR-OLD Pensnett man "obsessed" by young girls has been jailed for 18 months after he downloaded more than 33,000 indecent photographs of children.

Judge Barry Berlin at Wolverhampton Crown Court said it was clear Steven Eaves used the material - which showed children as young as two being abused - for his own "sexual gratification".

He said Eaves had been addicted to the images he downloaded, adding: "You have an unhealthy obsession with young girls.

"These are utterly grave and disgusting images that fuel what is an utterly grave and disgusting industry."

Eaves, of Dreadnought Road, admitted possessing the indecent images and another charge of voyeurism and he was told he must register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

He was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The judge said the photographs in the charges, which included 555 in the most vile category, were specimens from what was a "vast" number of images downloaded by Eaves.

David Bennett, prosecuting, stressed to the court that Eaves had not been involved in the distribution of the indecent images.

Ruby Ghinday, defending, said Eaves had been unhappy with his life at the time of his offending which had started out as "curiosity".

She added: "He became addicted to the images and he is now full of remorse for what he has done."

Miss Ghinday said Eaves acknowledged he had problems and it was his desire to put his life back in order.