Viktor Smirnovs jailed for possessing child abuse images hidden in underwear

A convicted paedophile has been sentenced to prison after police discovered he was still possessing and viewing child sex abuse images.

Viktor Smirnovs, 39, was found to have a mobile phone hidden in his underwear containing hundreds of vile indecent images and videos of children. This violation occurred despite a previous suspended sentence imposed on him in November 2023 for similar offenses.

Smirnovs had previously been given a 15-month jail term, suspended for two years, after admitting to possessing hundreds of child sex abuse images and videos. He was also ordered to comply with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and register as a sex offender.

On September 9, 2023, officers from Cheshire Police's sex offender management unit conducted an unannounced visit to Smirnovs' Watkin Street home. During the search, officers discovered a Google Pixel phone hidden in his underpants. This device was not registered with police as required by his sexual harm prevention order.

Forensic analysis of the phone revealed 216 indecent images and videos of children, including 29 categorized as category A – the most serious type of child sexual abuse involving rape. The discovery placed Smirnovs in breach of his suspended sentence.

Judge Anil Murray activated the suspended sentence and imposed an additional 20 months imprisonment for the new offenses. The sexual harm prevention order and sex offender register requirements remain in effect.