A POOLE man aged 19 has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for distributing images of child abuse.

Tyler Keen told police he had a sexual interest in children when he was interviewed after his arrest last year. Detectives searching his computer late last year found around 200 still images and videos of teenagers and young children subjected to abuse, including babies.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Keen had exchanged his images with other paedophiles over the internet, and he admitted using them for sexual gratification.

Prosecuting, Simon Jones said: "He was frank with police, he was to say that he has a sexual interest in children, that his preferred age was around 15 years, but he said he has a sexual interest in young toddlers and babies."

The court heard Keen, of Tyneham Avenue, had been cautioned by police in 2014 for a sexual assault on a child.

He admitted six counts of making indecent images, one of possessing indecent images, one of possessing extreme pornography and one of possessing indecent images for distribution.

In mitigation, Nicholas Robinson urged the court to submit Keen for long-term rehabilitation rather than prison, as recommended by the probation report.

"The recommendation by an experienced probation officer, fully aware of the serious nature of the offences, aware of his previous conviction, who sat with him, spoke with him, they say he is suitable for this," he said.

He said his client had demonstrated remorse and accepted his responsibility. That he had been "isolated" and "emotionally vulnerable" at the time of the offences to the extent that "he tried to take his own life".

"So low was he, that he really had little hope in his life. I ask the court to pass a sentence that will give him hope and give the public confidence that he is going to be punished," said Mr Robinson.

The judge, Recorder Adam Feest, ordered an immediate jail term, as well as a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"I have seen a description of just some of these images, you will understand as the public will that that they depict serious harm being caused to vulnerable, innocent, helpless victims," he told Keen.

"In my judgement the offences are so serious I would not be fulfilling my public duty if I pass a sentence of any other kind."