A paedophile who created a sick display of indecent images of children around his fireplace was caught after he reported GAS leak, a court heard.
John Sumner, 55, made a collage of pictures of boys he downloaded from the internet and put them on the hearth in his lounge.
But when Sumner dialled 999 after he smelt gas he realised they would be seen and refused to let officials into his home.
Police forced their way in and found the sick images arranged like an artwork, Teesside Crown Court was told.
He pleaded guilty to 19 charges of making indecent photographs plus four counts of possessing indecent photos and pseudo photos and was jailed for a year.
Sue Jacobs, prosecuting, said: “Inside the front room was a large collage of images in plain view around the fireplace depicting naked males in provocative, sexual poses.
“They appeared to the officer to be under the legal age.
“The defendant was arrested and a further search of his address led to the discovery of a large amount of CD, DVDs and floppy discs, all with sexual references to their content.
“He was asked about the images around the fire and he admitted downloading these and making a collage and admitted they were indecent.”
Sumner, of Hartlepool, collected 1,089 images of children – some at the more extreme levels.
Ian Hudson, mitigating, said Sumner is suffering from a form of dementia caused by the sexually transmitted disease syphilis.
Mr Hudson said: “I accept he is a high risk and an immediate custodial sentence, despite his previous good character, is inevitable.”
Sentencing Sumner to 12 months prison, Judge Peter Bowers said: “You clearly have a distorted and perverted sexual appetite.
“You also lack the insight to realise that what you were doing was both morally and criminally wrong.
“You are unable or unwilling to accept any available help for your illness or even accept any help from the probation service with regard to your sexual appetites.”
Sumner must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and was banned from working with children.
