A MAN found in possession of indecent images of children for the third time in five years was told he is, “a sexual deviant”, who has failed to learn from past convictions.

Brett Alex Watson, who received a suspended sentence in November 2016, was jailed for ten months at Durham Crown Court, in July last year, for similar offences.

He was also made subject of a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which, among its terms, prohibit him from possessing any device capable of concealing access to the internet.

But, he was found to be in breach of the order when police went to his home, on August 13.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, told the court his phone was seized and it was found to contain two videos containing content in the most serious category of child sex abuse, featuring victims as young as five.

The phone was installed with browser technology concealing the user’s identity when using the internet.

Watson, 25, of Mount Park Drive, Lanchester, made no comment at the time, but, at court, admitted breaching the SHPO and possessing indecent images of children.

His counsel, Lewis Kerr, told the sentencing hearing: “As a young man he has to learn to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and use the services provided in prison and outside.

“He will have to learn that by breaching court orders he will have to deal with the consequences. It’s a serious matter and it’s likely he will receive a longer term.

“He’s realistic and accepts it will have to be custody.”

Judge Ray Singh told Watson: “I’m afraid you are not going to learn.

“You can properly be categorised as a sexual deviant.

“Despite the efforts of the Probation Service, with suspended sentences and licence periods, you have been unable to stop your offending.

“You were made subject of a SHPO in July last year to stop you committing this type of offending and, on release, you were assigned with an offender manager.

“Yet, within days, or months, you acquired technical communication devices with a programme installed to enable you to delete files you have been looking at, in direct contravention of the orders made at this court.

“The sole reason it was placed on your device was to disguise the fact you have been accessing indecent videos, two of which are in category A, featuring a five-year-old in sexual activity with a grown man.

“I’m afraid no matter which court orders are put in place you will be back before the courts and the sentences will only get longer.”

Imposing a two-year prison sentence, the judge reminded Watson the SHPO remains in place.

He will also be subject to notification as a sex offender for the next ten years.

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