Description
A sex offender who hid storage devices from police officers, breaching a court order, has been jailed.
Bryan Gregory, from Minster on Sheppey, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court in 2014 to making and possessing indecent images of children.
As a result, he was given an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
This placed strict conditions on his behaviour, including how he uses digital storage devices and mobile phones, as well as how he accesses the internet.
The 76-year-old was ordered to make devices available for inspection on request.
As part of the management of those on the sex offenders’ register, Gregory was subject to regular visits by police to ensure his compliance with the court order.
During a visit last January, officers became suspicious that he had used a mobile phone inappropriately and the phone was seized. Further enquiries led to Gregory being arrested.
Additional digital storage devices were recovered following a search of his address and on Saturday, September 14 he was charged.
Gregory pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and breaching a SOPO.
He was sentenced on Tuesday (January 21) at Canterbury Crown Court to four years in prison and will spend a further four years on licence upon release.
Detective Sergeant Vicky Whitmill said: “Gregory’s disturbing behaviour – together with the complete contempt he demonstrated in breaching the terms of his court order, which was in place to protect vulnerable children – means it is right that he is behind bars.
“Proactive and regular checks are carried out on sex offenders to ensure they are complying with the requirements to which they are subject.
“Where breaches are found to have occurred, offenders will be arrested and brought before the court to take accountability for their actions.”