A convicted Hedge End paedophile, Gary Dowden, was apprehended with over 8,000 obscene photographs of youngsters as young as three years old.
Upon the police raid of Gary Dowden’s residence, images and films were discovered on several devices.
The 32-year-old, Gary Dowden, neglected to inform officers about a new phone, despite being under a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) due to a prior crime.
Officers who searched his devices found a total of 8,465 indecent images including 1,926 category A images – the most serious type.
Prosecuting, Leigh Hart said the photos depicted children as young as three being abused.
Gary Dowden of Mescott Meadows, Hedge End, gave no comment during his police interview.
Gary Dowden pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children as well as breaching an SHPO for owning the phone.
The defendant, who has four previous convictions for 24 offences – including making or distributing indecent images – appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Friday for sentencing.
Mitigating, Keely Harvey said her client had been “very open and honest” and had “indicated his guilty plea very early on”.
“Gary Dowden always accepted that these images would be found.”
She said he was surprised by the number of images that were found adding that her client “needs some help”.
Judge Brian Forster KC, said: “It is a bad case because of the number of class A images.
“This case must be seen against the background of your previous offending.
“This was a deliberate breach. You were fully aware of the terms of your order.
“There is no doubt that the possession of these images falls within the most serious category.”
Gary Dowden, who was produced from custody, was given a total of 24 months in prison as well as an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Gary Dowden must also abide by notification requirements for the next 10 years.
A further order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of his phone and devices.
Judge Forster added: “I hope Gary Dowden can get through this and make more of his life in future.”
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