A stamp collector who was caught with more than 300,000 child porn images on his computer was jailed for four and a half years yesterday.

Moray man Paul Hirst, 59, was arrested after police officers discovered a total of 306,978 images and 3,471 videos showing children being sexually abused.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the pervert started collecting the images in June 2007 and continued his horrifying hobby until June 2012.

Police swooped on Hirst after receiving a tip off about his sickening activities. They arrested him after examining his computer.

The story emerged following a hearing at the High Court yesterday in which Hirst appeared before judge Lord Brailsford. Hirst, of New Street, Hopeman, pleaded guilty earlier this year at Elgin Sheriff Court to possessing child pornography.

A sheriff at the court felt the offence was too serious to be dealt with at sheriff court level and decided to send Hirst to the High Court.

The High Court heard how Hirst spent much of his life collecting stamps before he started downloading child porn from the internet in the last decade.

Defence advocate Bill Adam said his client was full of remorse for what he had done and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Saying that his client accepted that he would be sent to prison, Mr Adam added: “He has accepted full responsibility for his actions. He is very remorseful for what he has done. He is also determined that he will never offend again.”

Passing sentence, Lord Brailsford also ordered Hirst to be supervised by the authorities for three and a half years following his release from jail.

He told the first offender: “I take into account that you have previously been of good character and have no previous convictions.

“I also take into account that you have had a good work record. These are mitigatory factors. However, I must send you to prison.

“The period of custody will be four years and six months. The period of extension will be three years and six months.”