O'Brian, a former Councillor escaped jail for downloading thousands of child porn images after he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of possessing indecent images of children.

A former Tory councillor has pleaded guilty to owning more than 6,500 sick images of children being abused. Twisted Peter O Brien admitted being addicted to porn and allowing curiosity to get the better of him. O Brien told police he had downloaded

O'Brien admitted being addicted to porn and allowing curiosity to get the better of him. O'Brien told police he had downloaded child pornography for years and viewed them for his own sexual gratification.

Magistrates in Hertford on Wednesday heard that the 46-year-old had a stash of videos and photographs - some showing very young children being raped by adults.

Prosecutor Kirsty Walker told the court that police searched O'Brien's home in Drakes Way, Hatfield, and found videos, CDs and computer equipment hidden in his loft, study and garage.

O'Brien was on holiday when the raid took place, but was escorted from a plane at Stansted Airport on his return five days later. During questioning O'Brien, who is now living in a flat in Nottingham, answered 'no comment' to most questions put to him, but when he was interviewed for a second time in April, he told police that he was ashamed. O'Brien admitted having an addiction to pornography since his teens and said he became curious as to what other material was out there.

The court heard he had no sexual interest in children before he started downloading the images, but said he has been doing so for years. He added that it was something between him and the computer and something he wouldn't do in the real world.

Paul Webb, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned for reports. He said "There is considerable mitigation on O'Brien's behalf."

Magistrate Vanessa Ganney sent the case to the crown court for sentencing at a later date.

O'Brian, formally of Drakes Way, Hatfield, was given a 3 year Community Order and ordered to attend rehabilitation.