A paedophile caught with thousands of indecent images of children despite being on bail for similar offences has been jailed for four years.

In total John Powell had 5,038 indecent images of children and 368 Prohibited extreme pornographic images.

The Rodmell resident appeared at Hove Crown Court on Friday, February 21 and was sentenced to four years in jail.


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The 58-year-old was also served with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for life severely restricting his access to computers and children, and will also be required to be to be a registered sex offender for life

On January 16, Powell, Martens Field, Rodmell, had pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making indecent images of children, 4 counts of possession of indecent images of children and 2 counts of possession of prohibited images.

One alleged offence of taking an indecent image of a child was not proceeded with and will remain on the court file.

All the indecent images and videos are Internet-based.

The prosecution followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) of Sussex Police.

Detective Constable Jackie Keogh of POLIT said: "In total Powell was found to be in possession of 5,038 indecent images of children and 368 Prohibited extreme pornographic images. The indecent images of children covered all ranges, from level 1 through to level 5 which are the most serious.

"Even when we were about to charge Powell with one set of these offences in October 2012, we discovered that he was still offending while on bail, and he was arrested again and charged with more offences which are also included in today's sentencing.

"This case is a further example of our commitment to follow up intelligence, whether from law enforcement of from the public, about individuals engaged in this type of activity which, by perpetuating the circulation of such images, is a form of child sex abuse in itself.

"Every image represents actual child sex abuse, and we will continue to follow up any information, whether from law enforcement or from local people.

"Call us on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.ukand arrange to talk in confidence to experienced investigators."