A 38-year-old Harrow man was sentenced Tuesday to 45 days in jail for storing child pornography -much of it animation -on his computer.

Ontario court Justice Greg Campbell accepted the joint defence-Crown submission and sentenced Bryan Gregory Abbott to the mandatory minimum sentence, after the defendant pleaded guilty March 2 to one count of possessing child pornography.

Abbott was also sentenced to two years' probation and prevented from associating with anyone under 16 unless they are accompanied by an adult.

As well, for five years he is barred from possessing or operating electronic devices that can store images, such as cellphones and computers, and must submit a DNA sample that will remain on a national sex offenders registry for 10 years.

Abbott's lawyer Enzo Di Gioia said his client is a first-time offender who has accepted responsibility for what he did. Di Gioia also said a pre-sentence report from a correctional officer with the Ministry of Community and Correctional Services notes that Abbott regrets what he did.

"He's an intelligent fellow who, unfortunately, is socially regressed," Di Gioia said. "But from the very beginning of the proceedings he acknowledged his guilt. And he immediately sought help in terms of counselling and group therapy.

"He's genuinely remorseful for what he's done. And I believe this will be his last contact with the law."

Assistant Crown attorney Jane Magri said her office agreed to the joint submission because the accused had no record, co-operated with authorities and sought counselling. Abbott's legal problems began in April 2010 when he brought his computer to a shop to be serviced. Computer technicians there noticed a number of questionable images, including anime -Japanese-inspired animation -some of naked pubescent and prepubescent boys.

Store workers notified police about the images and Abbott was later arrested.