Jamie Alexander Wilson, of Ararat, pleaded guilty to possessing the images, some of which featured children as young as 12 months old.

An analysis of the images provided to the court revealed many were classified as being among the most serious child pornographic material.

According to the analysis, five images were of a sadistic nature, 47 were of gross assault, 78 of explicit sexual activity and 160 of children in explicit erotic positions.

Wilson was first arrested in Griffith in June 2010 after his ex-girlfriend found the disturbing images on his laptop and alerted police.

During submissions, the court heard how Wilson suffered from a mental disability and possessed an IQ of just 70.

Defence counsel David Barron said Wilson’s time in custody had been “more onerous” than usual because of the nature of his charge and he had been kept in his cell for 21 hours of the day.

Mr Barron also asked the judge to take into consideration the punishment Wilson had suffered since losing contact with his son after being charged with the offence.

But while magistrate Peter Bugden acknowledged his time in prison had been difficult, he said the number and nature of the images called for “nothing other than a full-time custodial sentence”.

“You are the architect of your own demise (regarding the loss of contact with his son),” Mr Bugden said. “It is quite clear there’s harm being depicted (to the children) in the material and I have to consider there were hundreds of photos … those who make use of this material feed on the abuse and exploitation of children.”

The 23-year-old initially lied to police about knowing the images were on his computer, saying the laptop belonged to his former partner.

Wilson was originally convicted in absentia in 2010 after he skipped bail but the conviction was annulled on appeal and he was forced to face the charges again in court this week.

He was sentenced to 18 months jail, with a nine-month non-parole period. He will be eligible for release on March 1 with time already served.