August 2015 Man had 5,127 child abuse images on his laptop Pervert Stephen Noon downloaded more than 5,000 indecent images of children onto his computer. The 49-year-old admitted he had a problem and obtained sexual gratification from the images when officers searched his Newcastle home and seized his computer. North Staffordshire magistrates heard the laptop was examined and was found to contain 5,127 indecent images of children  Now Noon has been handed a three-year community order. Prosecutor Mike Phillips said police visited the defendant’s home in February last year. Mr Phillips said: “There were 5,127 images. As many as 1,302 were accessible and 3,825 were inaccessible in that they were found in temporary files or deleted files.” Noon was arrested and told police he had bought the laptop three to five years ago for £70 and bought a number of downloads. Mr Phillips added: “He admitted he had a problem and he needed help. He admitted obtaining sexual gratification from the images.” Noon, of Hickman Street, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of a child between February 10 and February 16 last year. Robert Holt, mitigating, told the court that all the images were at the lowest level. He said the offending happened 18 months ago and there has been no repeat behaviour. Mr Holt added: “His problem-solving skills need to be addressed. He is a man of previous good character and has never before been to court.” Magistrates sentenced Noon to a three year community order with supervision and a requirement to complete the sex offender group work programme. He was fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge. And Noon was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years. Chairman of the bench, Howard Ball, said they were not making Noon the subject of a sexual offences prevention order as it was his first offence and 18 months have elapsed since he committed it. Magistrates also ordered the destruction of the laptop.