Townshend is writing his autobiography

Rock artist Pete Townshend has said his police caution for viewing child pornography did "great good" in showing he was not above the law.

The Who songwriter and guitarist was placed on the sex offenders' register after he accepted the caution for paying to view images on the internet.

Townshend, 58, told the Evening Standard newspaper that the past year had been "tough", but that he had not become depressed.

"It has not destroyed me, made me frightened, nor has it stopped me doing my work or living my normal life," he said.

"What it has done is made me realise I am not above the law, I am not rock 'n' roll invincible and I cannot save the world from internet sewage."

Townshend had admitted viewing the child porn images but said it was for research for his life story.

Townshend has said he was looking into the subject because he may have been sexually abused as a child.

He told the newspaper: "I hate the idea that anyone might believe my intentions were criminal but I do believe great good has come out of it all."

At the time of his arrest in January, Townsend - married with children - said: "I am not a paedophile. I think paedophilia is appalling."

His name had emerged from an investigation into internet child porn known as Operation Ore.

He is expected to release his autobiography next year to give the public "a real picture of who I am".