Indecent images of children as young as eight were discovered when a 64-year-old former businessman from Redruth took his lap top to be repaired magistrates heard last week.

Anthony Roy Coveyduck, of Forth Noweth, pleaded guilty to permitting indecent photographs of a child to be taken and to possessing a prohibited image of a child, between 2013 and 2015.

Alison May, for the CPS, said the permitting offence was the receiving of an image, there was no suggestion the defendant had taken or distributed the photographs. The case involved his possession of illegal images of children between the ages of eight and 12 years.

When staff at the repair shop saw his laptop contained illegal content they contacted the police, and Coveyduck’s machine was seized and examined. Two indecent images of children and one of prohibited material were recovered.

Coveyduck told the police he had no recollection of the specific images. He did not realise cartoon images were illegal. He had not deliberately looked at children, and must have downloaded the images when they came on to his machine. He did not have a specific interest in children and never had done.

He admitted he searched for adult pornographic material, and watched on a weekly basis, but wished he had never done so. He was curious, and that was why he looked at that type of material.

Coveyduck had a police caution in 2007 for possession of an indecent photograph of a child. His solicitor, Mark Charnley, said it was not being suggested that the defendant was in a group or exchanged these images. A single man, and divorced, he was in receipt of benefit.

His business as a mining and drilling contractor for 30 years came to an end after a serious accident at work. Some years ago his life went downhill, which led to depression. His marriage ended and his business went into decline because of the economic recession.

Coveyduck was given a one year community order with an internet sex offender treatment programme and was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years. He will also have to register as a sex offender.