A Hackney solicitor addicted to child porn, who was caught with over 200 images including graphic sexual abuse, is facing jail.

Hugh Jackson of Victoria Park Road, South Hackney, appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, supported by his wife – a researcher at University College London – watched on from the public gallery.

The 31-year-old former solicitor kept the stash of images – one of which portrayed penetrative sex – on his home and work computers, which were seized by police last October.

His defence barrister Mr Edwards, said: “Hugh Jackson started looking at pornography as a teenager, it wasn’t criminal at that point, but five years ago he turned to the forms seen here.

“He can’t point to a specific trigger but perhaps it starts at work, reacting to the stress.

“It became an addiction and that is how it’s been over the recent past.”

Mr Jackson has now resigned from what Mr Edwards described as an “extraordinarily demanding job” at a leading London housing and community care law firm, and is now claiming job seekers’ allowance (JSA).

Mr Edwards added: “From having a reasonable salary he’s resorted to JSA, things aren’t easy for him.

“What stands out is the extraordinary openness to his family and friends, they are fully aware and fully supportive of him in the situation which has come about”

Mr Edwards argued that as his client had admitted to the crime from the outset, had no previous convictions, had attended a rehabilitative course and had co-operated fully with police - having disclosed his computer passwords, that he should escape a jail term with a suspended sentence.

However after deliberation, chairman of the bench, John Newgas, said they regarded their 12-month sentencing powers “insufficient” because of the “nature and seriousness” of the offences, and referred the case to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing.

Until that time, bail conditions dictate Jackson must report daily to Stoke Newington police station and avoid unsupervised contact with children under 16.

Jackson pleaded guilty to nine counts of making indecent photographs of a child and a single count of possessing indecent images of a child at Westminster Magistrates Court last month.