Former Perth teacher jailed for child porn

A former Perth high school teacher has been jailed for 18 months for possessing more than 1000 photographs and videos of child pornography.

Rodney Westacott, 46, was arrested last year as part of a global investigation into child exploitation.

The WA District Court heard on Thursday that Westacott had been collecting child pornography for nine years and had now accepted that he had a sexual interest in children.

In sentencing, Judge Simon Stone noted that Westacott was generally able to suppress or control his sexual interest in children in his day-to-day life.

"I also accept that when intoxicated and/or depressed, you were prepared to act upon that interest by accessing the material," he said.

Judge Stone said some of the 1800 or more children depicted in the exploitative material were as young as three-years old.

"The facial expression of some of the boys showed pain and misery - it was clear from what I observed," he said.

"That was a very small sample of the material that you were apprehended with."

Judge Stone said the children were victims and general deterrence for such a crime was important.

"You collected it because you had a sexual interest in children and you did so to satisfy your sexual needs," he said.

Westacott must serve nine months in prison before being eligible for parole and will be a reportable sex offender.