A man who claimed he viewed child abuse images “out of curiosity” has been jailed for 14 months.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that police found 278 indecent photos and videos on phones belonging to Leon Swan.
There was also evidence that he had shared 146 images with other people online.
Swan, 22, of Amethyst Avenue, Bellshill, admitted downloading, possessing and distributing material that showed children being sexually abused.
Daisy Bentley, prosecuting, said police raided his home in February last year.
When officers questioned him he said: “I’m sorry. I got a link and clicked out of curiosity.
“I’ve never met a child and would never hurt a child. I think I’m addicted and I need help to stop.”
Swan insisted he was not sexually attracted to youngsters.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Kevin McCallum KC also put Swan on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
The sheriff told him: “It’s bad enough possessing these images but you also distributed them.
“That causes the continuation of such activity and encourages the creation of further images.”
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