Description
A WREXHAM sex offender who was caught with indecent images of children on his devices had 'reverted to his old ways,' a court heard.
Simon Beckett, of Queensway, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.
The 55-year-old had previously admitted one offence of breaching his SHPO and three of making indecent images of children (one each at categories A, B and C).
Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court that Beckett was made the subject of the SHPO in 2016, also for indecent image offences.
His breach of the order occurred due to his prohibited use of file sharing software and came to light when police received intelligence suggesting indecent images were being uploaded to the internet from Beckett's address.
A warrant was executed at his home in September 2024 and he was arrested.
Four of his devices were seized and when analysed, three were found to contain indecent images while the fourth showed his use of the filesharing software.
In terms of the images, there were 19 at category A (the most serious), three at category B and 28 at category C.
Mr Scholz told the court more than 3,000 other files 'indicative of a sexual interest in children' were also found.
Beckett made no comment to all questions when interviewed.
Amy Edwards, defending, said: "His best mitigation is his early guilty plea and I invite the court to award full credit for that.
"This is the first breach of his SHPO.
"His is willing to take responsibility for these offences and accepted having purposefully searched for these images.
"He completed his suspended sentence passed in 2016 satisfactorily, attending all office appointments and completing a course.
"He is now in settled accommodation and is looking for work."
Ms Edwards asked Judge Rhys Rowlands to take into account the slight delay in bringing the matters to court.
The Judge told Beckett: "You told the probation officer it (the offending) was borne out of boredom.
"You said your intention had been to download adult pornography - but then 'out of curiosity' you searched for these images of young children as well.
"Your behaviour was calculated - you reverted to your old ways."
Beckett was jailed for a total of 14 months and was made the subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.
He must register as a sex offender for the same length of time and will be placed on a barring list to prevent him from working with children or vulnerable adults in the future.