Paedophile admitted nine counts of possessing indecent images.

John Butler, a repeat offender, was sentenced to 25 months in prison for possessing thousands of indecent images of children.

Butler, 58, was arrested for the third time in July 2021 after police received information that vile images were being downloaded at his partner's address in Potternewton Crescent, Chapel Allerton.

Officers seized multiple devices, including a laptop, memory cards, USB sticks, and a Raspberry Pi computer. Analysis revealed nearly 3,000 abuse images, categorized as follows:

• Category A (most severe): 219 images
• Category B: 256 images
• Category C: 2,427 images

The images included videos and pictures of children as young as one. Prosecutor Ella Embleton stated that Butler had conducted a "determined and systematic search" for these images and had attempted to conceal his activities by using a Tor browser.

Despite denying ownership of the devices and claiming no sexual interest in children, Butler was arrested again in August 2021 after another tip-off. More devices were seized, yielding another 2,331 images, including:

• Category A: 223 images
• Category B: 131 images
• Category C: 1,977 images

Butler became aggressive during the police interview and was again bailed. In May 2023, officers seized a laptop from his home containing 21 images, including:

• Category A: 3 images
• Category B: 7 images
• Category C: 11 images

Butler's history of offending includes a 1984 conviction for indecent assault on a seven-year-old, for which he served a three-month sentence.

During sentencing, Judge Ray Singh stated: "These children were extremely young, and you continued unrelentingly." Butler was placed on the sex offender register for life and subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to restrict his internet use.