A MAN who was found to have more than 25,000 indecent images of children in his possession has been jailed for four years.

James Coventry, of Collingwood Road, Basildon, was jailed after pleading guilty to making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The 38-year-old was arrested on December 12, 2018.

Officers from the Police Online Investigation Team executed a warrant at his home address.

Seven electronic devices were seized which were found to contain 25,131 indecent images and videos of children.

More than 10,000 were of the most serious category A.

Investigations revealed that Coventry used online messenger and chat applications to obtain and view indecent images.

He also acted as the administrator of a number of groups to share images and videos with other members.

Coventry was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of distributing indecent images of children and one count of possession of an indecent image of a child.

He admitted all of the offences at Basildon Crown Court on January 10, 2019 and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

PC Adam Colbear, from the Police Online Investigation Team, said: “James Coventry set up group chats to obtain and view horrific images and videos of babies and toddlers.

“He took his offending a stage further by taking on the role as administrator for some of these groups and distributing abhorrent images to other members.

“Children lie at the heart of these offences and my colleagues and I at the Police Online Investigation Team will do everything in our power to protect and safeguard them.”

“Viewing and/or sharing indecent images of anyone under the age of 18 is a crime and there are serious consequences.”

He was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday.