Paedo with 30K child sex images had 'despicable' manuals on how to abuse kids and get away with it

A PAEDOPHILE caught with 30,886 indecent images of children had two "despicable" manuals on how to get away with sexually abusing children - yet he got just 34 months in prison.

Christopher Priestley, 52, of Brandreth Road, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, January 11. If he behaves in prison he will be out in 17 months or less.

The judge, Recorder David Gordon, Christopher Priestley, aged 52, of Brandreth Road, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, said of the manuals: "They are effectively guidance to you and others about exactly how to go about sexually abusing children and avoiding detection, what is the best thing to do with children of various ages, and how to go about it. Absolutely disgusting and despicable material.”

The court heard that Priestley was caught red-handed by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers on a visit to his home as they found an open electronic device showing a paedophilic website.

David Webster, prosecuting, said officers found over 3,000 indecent images of children on various devices and a programme designed to hide internet browsing.

He said: "The Crown say Mr Priestley was fairly determined to cover his tracks but not quite bright enough because as one sees one of the devices was open and effectively he was caught red-handed when police arrived.

"An officer recovered a holdall from under a bed with plastic bags of female underwear arranged by ages two-to-three to teenage.”

Priestley was found to have hundreds of category A (the worst) and B indecent images and videos plus over 30,000 category C images and videos.

Priestley was arrested in October, 2019.

He later pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images relating to categories A, B and C and he also admitted two counts of possessing paedophile manuals.

Defending Priestley, Vanessa Saxton, said he has no previous convictions and that he is shamed by the offending.

As main carer for his mother, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, he said he cannot understand why put himself into a position where he faces jail with his mother left alone.

Recorder Gordon said without offenders like Priestley there would be no market for the appalling images that are made by the real abuse of children.

He sentenced Priestley to 34 months in prison and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.