A MAN claimed his failing marriage had led him to possess 372 indecent images of children while living in Swindon.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard how the images, 404 in total, were first discovered by his ex-wife and at least 50 per cent of them were of children under 13 with many stored on disks.

Paul Brentnall, 46, now living in the Shetland Isles, pleaded guilty to all six charges dating back to 2003.

He admitted possessing 372 indecent images of children between October 27, 2003 and December 24, 2005 when he was in Swindon and three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

Another two offences were discovered in the Shetlands – possessing 32 indecent photographs of children between April 15, 2007 and October 28, 2007 and making an indecent photograph of a child on September 23, 2007.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said Brentnall and his former wife of 14 years Charlotte had lived in Bowood Road, Kingshill, and he had worked as a security officer.

It was only during divorce proceedings that his wife uncovered his offences and went to police who found 16 indecent images on the hard disk and a further 64 CDs.

Miss Sawetz said: “His marriage had got into difficulties so he signed up to a group, which led to people sending him images of children.”

The court was told two of the photographs were classed as level five, the most serious, 24 at level four, 12 at level three, 99 at level two and 267 at one.

Miss Sawetz said there were many aggravating features including that more than 50 per cent of the children involved were under 13.

She said Brentnall’s efforts to save and erase data using specialised software were “indicating a sophisticated approach”.

Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, said: “You have here a very small number of levels four and five – not just small, but very small.

“As a result of being so miserable in a relationship that wasn’t working he found himself escaping on the internet.”

He said Brentnall also suffers from sleep apnoea, a rare condition that can restrict his breathing and may require oxygen, the court heard.

Mr Nowogrodzki said: “Sending a man to prison who relies on oxygen on this offence is tantamount to sending him to his death.”

Magistrates, who were shown some of the images, decided to send Brentnall to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing.