A convicted paedophile who was found with more than 100 indecent images of children as young as seven years old breached a court order preventing him from having a smartphone. He was later found in possession of such a phone which contained search terms such as "Lolita".
Breach of court order
Andrew Williamson, 45, of Wrexham, is a registered sex offender and was imprisoned last year for possessing indecent images of children. Following his release from prison he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and was prohibited from possessing any devices except for a basic mobile phone registered with the police.
A sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court heard a probation officer contacted the police on June 4 to say they had received a message from Williamson from a mobile phone number which was unknown to the authorities. On June 8 police attended the defendant's home and arrested him.
Discovery of images
A Samsung Galaxy phone was discovered in the kitchen and was found to contain search terms including "Lolita". An examination of the phone resulted in the discovery of 47 category A images, 11 category B images, and 50 category C images depicting child abuse.
Prosecutor Joseph Lee said the ages of the children in the images ranged from seven years old to 14 years old. Williamson, of Coopers Close, later pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and breaching a SHPO.
Sentencing
The court heard he has seven previous convictions including 32 offences of making indecent images. In mitigation the court was told the defendant had never been in a relationship and was described as a "lonely and sad individual". Originally from Scotland, Williamson moved to Wales at the age of 13. The court heard the defendant accepts he "has a problem" with having a sexual interest in children and alcohol issues.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones said: "These offences involve real children who are being raped, abused, molested, and treated in the most appalling way. This is not a victimless crime." Williamson was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment and remains subject to sex offender notification requirements and the SHPO.
