Hayden Wickland, 21, disturbingly said that children aged 11 and 12 were ‘his favourite’.

Wickland, from Camborne, appeared at Truro Crown Court having pleaded guilty to three making indecent images of children charges, possession prohibited images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

Prosecuting the case, Michael Brown told the court how Wickland’s offending came to light after his profile was seen on Twitter engaging in child abuse group chats, with Wickland clearly demonstrating that he is a paedophile

Wickland chillingly said online that children aged 11 and 12 were his favourite and this led to a search of his home and a number of devices being seized.

On the devices police found images in Category A, B and C, prohibited images and a smaller number of extreme pornographic material.

Mr Brown said that in one image a child is seen tied up, in pain and being abused. The youngest child depicted was aged just four.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Carr said: “When first spoken to you seemed to lack awareness about what you had done. Let me explain it for you. Because of what you do children as young as four were being raped. This is done so for the entertainment of people like you. It is a business, if it wasn’t for you viewing it these children wouldn’t be raped.

Wickland was warned that any further offending would see him sent to prison.

He was given a three-year community order and must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and mental health treatment programme.