A family man’s 30-year career at Ford’s is over after hardcore pornographic images involving a snake, a horse and a Great Dane were found on his work laptop.

Snaresbrook Crown Court today ordered Keith Dorrington, 55, to pay £800 – but spared him jail, instead dishing out a five-month sentence suspended for two years.

Judge Louise Kamill told the court: “He has to live with this behind him and face his family and friends with a criminal conviction for a dirty offence.”

Dorrington, of Derbydale, Rochford, pleaded guilty to eight offences of possessing images and films involving animals and people at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on October 13.

Prosecuting, Paul Addison said the defendant was working at the Ford factory in Dagenham when bosses found “unusual” internet traffic on the laptop he had been given.

Police were called on July 1 and he was arrested.

In a statement, read out by Mr Addison, Dorrington said: “When I downloaded it I was suffering from depression and an enlarged prostate.

“I didn’t realise the material was unlawful and I am sorry for that.”

A film was discovered on his personal laptop, and a further 13 films and pictures were found on his work computer.

Representing him, Laureen Husain said he accepted downloading the extreme pornographic images over the last year.

She added: “He has been dismissed from his employment, not surprisingly, and there is an appeal process ongoing.”

Ms Husain said Dorrington was a manager at Ford’s and had worked for the company for 29 years.

He described the defendant as a family man with a wife and two grown-up children.

She said he had “personal problems” including his wife’s discovery he was having an affair, adding: “His 29-year-old son has said he will disown his father if he does anything like this again. Similar words were said by his daughter, too.

“His wife has stayed with him. He’s not in good health and has had prostate problems and a urinary problem, which had side effects – one of which was erectile dysfunction.

“It should be taken seriously but he has learnt his lesson. He is deeply remorseful.”

Before sentencing him, the judge looked at thumbnails of the images and films.

She ordered him to undergo an internet offenders course for 60 days and said: “He has worked for Ford’s for nearly 30 years in a trusted position. He has lost his job [and] his respect and [this has] threatened to ruin his family.”