A NETHERTON man whose job with a Midland Council involved him organising transport for vulnerable children has been spared jail after he was caught with thousands of sickening indecent photographs and films of youngsters.

It was the second time Steven Cleaver had been arrested for offences linked to child pornography and after his arrest he admitted to police officers he had an "obsession" with the vile material.

Recorder Stephen Lowne told the 41 year-old people who viewed the "terrible" images encouraged and contributed to the shocking abuse of children.

"These were dreadful acts committed against children and babies," he told Lowne who said after his arrest he got a "buzz" from looking at the photographs and watching the films.

The recorder added: "These children who are abused must struggle with the reasons why this is happening to them. I hope you will not go near this material again."

Cleaver pleaded guilty to 16 charges of making indecent images of children and the recorder maintained: "Society must keep chipping away at this evil."

He placed Cleaver on supervision for three years on condition he attends the sexual offenders programme and also ordered him to carry out 100 unpaid work in the community.

The recorder further made him the subject of an indefinite sex offenders protection order and told him he must register as a sex offender for the next five years.

Mrs Sati Ruck prosecuting said police went to Cleaver's home in St Georges Road and seized 2,198 indecent photographs from one computer including 18 at levels four and five - the worst categories.

The officers also found 45 indecent movies involving children while in a second computer they recovered 1,106 more stills and a further 11 movies.

Miss Diljit Buchada defending said Cleaver had an "obsession" with the material and he accepted he needed help and support.

She told Wolverhampton Crown Court he had been in a long term relationship but in 2006 it came to an end.

He then started watching adult pornography and moved on towards indecent images of children.

"He was aware his actions were illegal and wrong," said Miss Buchada who stressed to the court it was more important for him to get assistance for the problem than spend a short time in custody.

She said Cleaver had also lost the job he held with the council after holding the position for 12 years.