A paedophile from Porthleven has been sent to prison, for possessing and distributing images of child abuse which plumbed "the very depths of depravity."

Andrew Grove, 41, was arrested in July 2015, when police confiscated four laptops which were later found to have 308 images, including 187 videos of child abuse spanning category A, B and C.

Judge Robert Linford described the images of showing child abuse in which the children were visibly distressed.

Appearing at Truro Crown Court today Grove, of Parc an Maen, broke down in tears while the sentence was read out, and was given two years in prison for possessing and distributing the images of children as young as five.

Philip Lee, prosecuting, described to the court how Grove would use his computer to search the internet for images, using terms such as 'preteen' and 'underage prostitutes'.

Also under the moniker Andy 8202, Grove had taken part in Skype conversations with other paedophiles, where he falsely bragged about sexually assaulting children, and shared the offensive images.

Grove admitted to sharing the images and taking part in these conversations, but insisted the conversations were just bravado.

Piers Norsworthy, for Grove's defence, said that credit should be given as the defendant had never lied about his crime, and had faced up to the full responsibility of his actions.

So much so, that after his conviction Grove tried to take his own life with an overdose, and an earlier hearing had to be postponed while he was rushed to hospital.

He went on to say that Grove, a Naval man of 16 years who left the service in 2013, had suffered mental wounds from his time in the military which scarred him to this day.

Although Mr Norsworthy admitted that this did not excuse Grove's actions, he suggested that it may be better to try to understand his offending, rather than impose a custodial sentence.

My Norsworthy said: "It's quite apparent to me that his experiences in the Navy have left a substantial mark on him and that is something that turned him from someone who could have a conversation to someone who was scarred by the Navy.

"He has never formed a relationship that has lasted, he is now living back with his parents because of their concern with him.

"The greatest protection would be to understand why he has committed these offences, rather than locking him up and releasing him halfway through his sentence."

But although Judge Linford was sympathetic to the mental wounds suffered, he refused to spare Grove from a prison sentence.

Judge Linford, sentencing Grove to two years in prison, said: "I simply cannot avoid a custodial sentence. It brings me no joy to give you this sentence, as I believe there is some good in you.

"You have served your country for a long period of time and saw things that have affected you.

"The descriptions of the images are descriptions which plumb the very depths of depravity, with children as young as five... visibly distressed.

"The most serious count is of distribution, what you were doing was sharing these images with others who had the same disturbed interests as yourself."