A routine police check caught a convicted sex offender after they found indecent images of children on his computer.
The forensics team at Cambridgeshire police discovered child abuse images on the confiscated computer, 25 of which were category A, the most serious.
Convicted sex offender Lee Williams was found with search terms including “children in swimwear” and “how to delete internet history” on his computer.
He has been jailed for more than two years.
Specialist officers trained in dealing with sexual offenders were carrying out a routine inspection at 56-year-old Williams’ home in St Neots in April 2021 when they discovered the searches.
They were unable to access Williams’ spare mobile phone and computer as he gave incorrect password details and claimed he hadn’t set the computer up yet.
As a result, the devices were seized and sent to the forensics team, which discovered child abuse images, 25 of which were category A, the most serious.
Williams pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and three counts of making indecent images of children.
He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court last week (22 June).
Detective Constable Decca Riondino said: “Specially trained officers will continue to monitor and engage with registered sex offenders in the community and conducting device inspections is an important part of our work.
“Williams was subject to a sexual harm prevention order and demonstrated a blatant disregard for it.
“We work with partner agencies to protect the public and bring offenders and reoffenders to justice.”
Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to a child, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah’s Law.
Anyone who looks out for the welfare of a child can make an enquiry. This can include parents, carers, guardians, extended family, friends, and neighbours.
