Kieron Boyd 40

Description

A paedophile caught with a collection of horrific child abuse images begged for help from the police after he was snared in an online sting.

Repeat sex offender Keiron Boyd, 37, last living on Cunliffe Close, Palacefields, Runcorn, was initially arrested after trying to groom a "14-year-old girl" via social media.

The girl, Darcy, was actually a decoy who led officers to discover the vile stash of videos and pictures on Boyds Samsung phone and Kindle Fire tablet.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting on Thursday at Chester Crown Court, said Boyd, who had breached sexual offences prevention orders (SOPO) six times in the past, was arrested and interviewed on July 5 after he made contact with the "girl" on Facebook.

The conversation moved to Messenger and text messages, and Boyd engaged the "girl" in sexually explicit conversation before inviting her to meet for sex.

He asked the decoy, who was posing as a schoolgirl, intimate questions and made graphic sexual suggestions, at one point saying he wanted to "tie her up".

Their interactions took place from June 25 to July 5, ending when the decoy reported Boyd to the police and provided screenshots.

While being arrested, Boyd told his mother he was sorry and had let her down - he had a problem and he had f***ed up and needed help.

In a police interview, Boyd broke down at the end and said: I need help, please help me, I need help with my attraction to children.

He indicated guilty pleas to attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to meet a child following grooming in magistrates court on June 6.

Further charges followed as police made the grim discovery of the haul of abuse images on Boyds devices.

Ms Badrawy gave brief descriptions of types of disturbing content involved to the court, including abuse involving a baby aged 18 months, and young girls aged around four or five being raped. Boyds sick stash also featured bestiality videos.

He pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court at the first opportunity to three counts of making indecent images of a child, one of possessing indecent child images, one of having prohibited images and possessing extreme pornographic images.

The charges related to: 22 Category A videos and eight images in the most serious category; five Category B videos and 36 images; nine Category videos and 35 images; seven extreme pornographic videos and 10 images; and one prohibited video and 84 images.

Ms Badrawy said Boyd had eight convictions for 25 offences including multiple SOPO breaches, indecent images, and criminal damage.

He has previously served time in prison.

Jeremy Rawson, defending, pleaded mitigation for his clients early guilty pleas citing them as showing remorse but conceded Boyd had an unenviable record, which places him in considerable difficulty.

He said the dad-of-two had obtained qualifications at college and had a strong work ethic and was working until his arrest when he confessed his crimes, and has worked while on remand in prison, taking on roles including sorting the prison laundry.

Mr Rawson said: He made full admissions and saw himself as quite clearly a man in need of great assistance.

That had been provided in the past by the probation service but unfortunately for him he didnt comply with as much of the rigorous work as required, and there was a cry for help after his arrest.

He added Boyds mother had terminated contact with her son after his latest crimes.

Judge Patrick Thompson said Boyd was a serious risk of harm to children and imposed an extended sentence, sending him down for five years plus three years on extended licence, meaning he could serve eight years if he offends after his release.

Boyd will have to serve two thirds of the custodial term before being considered for release by the parole board.

The judge approved a Sexual Harm Prevention Order - which have replaced SOPOs - to run indefinitely, and he placed Boyd on the sex offenders register for life.

During his sentencing remarks, Judge Thompson noted the offences happened against a background of [Boyd] having been before the court in the past on numerous occasions.

He said: Its clear to me you have an unhealthy interest in children and its a sexual interest.

Ive read with care the pre-sentence report in your case.

The assessment is that you pose a high risk of serious harm to children particularly females aged 12 to 14.

He added: Its clear you pose a significant risk to children.

I hope whats been said on your behalf is true and you are open to seeking help for a very serious problem or you will serve longer and longer prison sentences.

Children are the most vulnerable and must be protected.