A MAN who distributed abusive images of children over the internet has been warned he could be jailed.

Patrick McLaughlin shared indecent images with other people on three occasions over a 15-month period.

The 55-year-old had amassed more than 1,000 photographs and movies during a decade.

When police examined his computer they also found seven images of extreme pornography which involved people with animals.

McLaughlin, of Carstairs Avenue, Park South, had distributed some of the pornography in February 2009 and then again the following January and May.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing, one of possessing and nine of making indecent images of children.

The possession charge ranged from March 2001 to May last year when he was found to have 1,125 indecent images of children.

He also admitted possessing the pornographic images downloaded between late September 2009 and April 27, 2010.

Tony Bignall, defending, asked to adjourn the case so the probation service could compile a pre-sentence report.

Recorder Michael Parroy QC agreed and told McLaughlin he must register as a sex offender.

He said “The case will be adjourned to June 1. The purpose of that is so whoever deals with you has the fullest information about you.

“That does not mean that the hands of the court on that occasion are in any way tied or that a custodial sentence will not be passed.”

He released him on bail on condition he does not have any contact with children under the age of 18 unless supervised by a guardian.