Paedophile caught with baby abuse image five days after prison release.

Matthew Laidler, a 33-year-old man from Middlesbrough, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for possessing an illegal image of a baby girl on his mobile phone.

Laidler, who was already subject to a 29-month prison sentence for previous offenses, was caught with the image during an unannounced visit from his offender manager.

He initially claimed to be texting his grandmother but was found to have received an indecent image of a baby and sent a sexually explicit comment in response.

Laidler had downloaded encrypted messaging apps, Wickr and Mega, in an attempt to hide his activity.

This is Laidler's third prison sentence for sex offenses. In 2006, he was convicted of sexual assault of a child, and in 2015, he was jailed for possessing indecent images of children.

In 2022, he was handed another 29-month prison term after it was discovered that he had been babysitting young girls, sleeping over, and giving them baths, despite his license prohibiting contact with children.

Judge Paul Watson, presiding over the case, expressed concern over Laidler's use of encrypted apps, highlighting their ability to erase messages.

Laidler is currently serving his 2022 sentence, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2024. He will now begin his new 26-month sentence upon completion of his current sentence.