Paedophile had more than 8,000 indecent images of children.

A convicted paedophile, Gary Bowden, was apprehended with over 8,000 indecent images of children, some as young as three years old.

Police conducted a raid on Bowden's home, discovering the images and videos stored on multiple devices. The 32-year-old had failed to disclose a new phone to officers, despite being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed for a previous offense.

The investigation uncovered a staggering total of 8,465 indecent images, including 1,926 classified as category A - the most severe level of abuse. Prosecutor Leigh Hart revealed that some of the images depicted children as young as three years old being abused.

Bowden, residing in Mescott Meadows, Hedge End, remained silent during his police interview. He ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children and breaching the SHPO by possessing the undisclosed phone.

At his sentencing hearing on Friday at Southampton Crown Court, Bowden, with a criminal history of 24 offenses including prior convictions for making and distributing indecent images, appeared before Judge Brian Forster KC.

Keely Harvey, defending Bowden, stated that her client had been "very open and honest" and had "indicated his guilty plea very early on." She acknowledged that he "always accepted that these images would be found."

Harvey expressed surprise at the sheer volume of images discovered and asserted that Bowden "needs some help."

Judge Forster KC, commenting on the severity of the case, highlighted the "significant number of class A images" and underscored the context of Bowden's prior offending.

"This was a deliberate breach," Judge Forster stated. "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."

Bowden, who was present in custody, received a 24-month prison sentence. He was also subjected to an indefinite SHPO and required to comply with notification requirements for the next 10 years.

The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of Bowden's phone and other devices.

Judge Forster concluded by expressing hope that Bowden would "get through this and make more of his life in future."