A MAN who sent images of children being sexually abused to someone he met playing Call of Duty online has been spared a prison sentence.

Jack Lane, 20, believed he was forwarding the images of boys, which he first downloaded at the age of just 17, to a teenager called Kyle. The two had met through the video game, which can be played both online and offline.

However, despite an extensive police investigation, 'Kyle' has never been identified.

Lane, of Harewood Place in Blandford, had to be escorted into Bournemouth Crown Court by uniformed police officers on Friday morning after a crowd of people turned up to see him sentenced for three counts of distributing indecent images and five of making indecent images.

Members of the public were also told to keep quiet by a judge during the hearing after laughter and jeering broke out during Lane's mitigation.

Michael Mason, representing the defendant, said the "vast majority" of the images downloaded by Lane were in category C. However, he conceded there were a number of images in category A, the most serious.

"He was 17 when this started," Mr Mason said.

"He is remorseful and ashamed of his actions."

Mr Mason said Lane met 'Kyle' through gaming on his Xbox. The two spoke as friends before their conversations became sexualised and Lane forwarded the indecent images, the court heard.

Judge Brian Forster QC said Lane wouldn't have known if 'Kyle' was a "very young child or a police officer" as the two had only communicated online.

"[Lane] understood he was contacting a 16-year-old," said Mr Mason.

"It was not predatory. He got into internet chatting, which is very common on gaming sites.

"That developed into [conservation of] a sexual nature.

"He has never met Kyle. He could have been 11, or he could have been 33."

Mr Mason said Lane grew up with a violent father, and has suffered depression.

"He was not aware of the import of what he was doing legally," the barrister said.

"He was naive, and not aware of the law."

However, Judge Forster said: "At the age of 17, most people understand the seriousness of having images involving younger children.

"The images involved people who were possibly aged 10, 11 or 12."

Lane was arrested in 2016. After news of the arrest spread, the word 'paedo' was etched into his car by vandals, it was heard.

Mr Mason asked for the defendant to have the "opportunity to turn his life around", and said Lane is "of good character". After he finished speaking, people sat in the public gallery jeered.

Judge Forster warned: "I will not tolerate any interruption."

He said there are "real victims" of Lane's offending.

"If I was to pass a sentence of imprisonment, you would serve a relatively short period of time," the judge said.

"In these circumstances, I have no doubt that the public interest, and your interest, is best served by making a community order."

The three-year order will include attendance of a sex offender programme. In addition, Lane must comply with notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of five years.