A SEX offender is behind bars after pleading guilty to making and possessing thousands of illegal images of children.

Jailing Ronald Fuller, formerly of Windmill Hill, Wrotham Heath, at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday (Feb 12), Judge Philip Statman said it was among some of the worst material he had ever seen.

"Each of these images have a victim," he said.

"There are young girls, early teens depicted in the most appalling states of humiliation inflicted on them by adults.

"These images would not flourish on the internet if individuals such as you weren't prepared to download them."

He sentenced the 49-year-old married man to 20 months in prison and ordered him to sign the sexual offenders' register for 10 years.

A total of 18,378 illegal images and movies were found by police when they raided Fuller's home in September.

He was arrested the same day and pleaded guilty to 27 offences at his trial on December 2.

His sick crimes dated back to 2003.

Investigating officer Det Con Jo Gordon said: "Fuller had an extensive collection of indecent images of children, including many stills and movies of children being sadistically abused.

"People engaged in such offences must realise that they themselves are contributing towards the continuing horrific abuse of children, those who are least able to protect themselves."

Head of Kent Police's public protection unit Det Supt Maria Shepherd said: "Kent Police remains determined to seek out those individuals who abuse children and are engaged in child abuse image offences.

"We are committed to identifying offenders and bringing them before the courts."

Anyone who has information on this type of crime should ring Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Anyone involved in this type of crime and wants to stop should visit website stopitnow.org