Stuart PainterA UNIVERSITY student quizzed in connection with the deaths of a Melksham couple found stabbed to death in their home has admitted downloading child porn from the internet.

Murder inquiry detectives investigating the deaths of Roy and Joan Clarke found 89 images on a computer belonging to 21-year-old Stuart Painter at his home in Beanacre Road, Melksham.

Painter was arrested and released on bail in connection with the deaths of Mr and Mrs Clarke on December 6, prompting a police search of his home last month.

The science undergraduate admitted eight charges of downloading child porn between October 2002 and Christmas Eve 2004 at Chippenham Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Magistrates heard how Painter had been viewing the graphic images out of curiosity since the age of 17.

Prosecutor Rhys Davies said police were investigating other matters when they made the porn discovery.

He said: "Mr Painter was arrested and interviewed in Melksham police station where he admitted downloading these images.

"He used a file share system to access the photos and view the images.

He had downloaded more than 89 but others had been overwritten.

"He told police he had been doing this out of curiosity but said it had simply become a habit."

Painter bowed his head as the images seized on his computer were shown to magistrates.

Defence solicitor Michael Wills said it was not a question of viewing the images for sexual gratification.

He said: "It was a question of curiosity and habit. Quite why on earth he did it we will never know.

"When he was faced with the music he was honest with police to the point of being frank.

"He is an intelligent man who wants to use his intelligence to advance himself and advance others. You can see in the dock how deeply upset he is by this."

Magistrates ordered reports covering the option of a jail sentence, and will sentence Painter on February 22.

Painter is due to answer bail in connection with the deaths of the Clarkes' on February 15.

Former policeman Mr Clarke, 70, and his wife Joan, 55, were found with multiple stab wounds at their home in Berryfield Park.

Michael Clarke, their 20-year-old son, is in custody awaiting trial after denying a double murder charge.