Sex offender searched for “children in swimwear”

A convicted sex offender who was found with search terms including “children in swimwear” and “how to delete internet history” on his computer 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 Lee Williams’ home in St Neots in April 2021 when they discovered the searches.

They were unable to access Willams’ 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.”