Anthony Contento 57

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A paedophile who called himself 'Papa Bear' on the app he used to distribute child rape images was found with kids' underwear in his home.

Anthony Contento, from Birkdale, admitted to distributing the worst kind of child abuse images of children as young as four across the Randochat app earlier this year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that despite avoiding jail for similar offences in 2019, and being offered support to improve his behaviour, he went on to offend again.

Police raided his house on Welbeck Road in September this year and found children's underwear and more than 130 disturbing pictures and videos on his phone.

They also discovered Contento had been using the RandoChat app to distribute images of child rape.

The court heard the 54-year-old was using the name 'Papa Bear' and conversing with another account, sending a range of child abuse images including the most serious Category A images.

Prosecuting, Mark Stephenson said that Contento denied to police that anything incriminating would be found at his house after officers forced the door in.

Mr Stephenson said: "He said he did not think anything would be found and said that he had learned his lesson previously.

"Some items of children's underwear were recovered in the house as well but the charges are really built on the contents of the phone."

Mr Stephenson said police found a range of indecent pictures and videos, ranging from Category C to the most serious Category A, and that they involved "some very young children, four to six years old".

It was while searching his phone that officers also found Contento was using the RandoChat app to distribute images of child rape.

Despite the evidence against him, Mr Stephenson said Contento continued to deny that he had a sexual interest in children.

To that assertion, Judge Stuart Driver, QC, replied: "The defendant says in the pre-sentencing report that he has no sexual interest in children.

"I do not know if he actually believes that but no one else does."

Kate Morley, defending, said it was "extremely disappointing and alarming" that Contento had not followed a programme aimed at deterring reoffending after his 2019 conviction, which saw him handed a suspended sentence.

Ms Morley said: "He was given an opportunity on the last occasion.

"Had he completed the Horizon programme perhaps he would not be here today."

She said the only substantial mitigation for Contento was that he had pleaded guilty to the crime early but that he realised a jail term was likely to be the only outcome of today's hearing.

Contento was sentenced for ten counts, including possession of 135 images of child abuse.

Judge Driver said Contento was in denial about his sexual interest in young children and had reoffended shortly after a previous sexual harm prevention order placed upon him had lapsed.

He said: "Within a few months of the order coming to an end you committed these offences.

"It shows you to be a determined and persistent offender who enjoys making, watching and distributing images of young children being raped."

Contento was sentenced to three years in prison for the charge of distributing the Category A child abuse images.

He was sentenced to two years for making and possessing Category A, B and C child abuse images and distributing Category B and C images.

He was sentenced to 18 months for possession of extreme pornography and breach of a separate sexual harm prevention order.

He will serve his sentences concurrently, meaning he will be eligible for release on licence after 18 months.

He was also made the subject of another sexual harm prevention order which can only be lifted if a judge orders it.

Contento must also pay a statutory surcharge.