Convicted child rapist Thomas Stanley shared vile materials with a fellow sex offender he met in prison.

Stanley, 33, struck up a friendship with Connor Jackson, a "known sex offender" who was also serving time, while they were both incarcerated.

After their release, Stanley sent Jackson an indecent image of a child via WhatsApp. In a disturbing message, Stanley apologized for the image's "quality" and promised to provide Jackson with a USB drive containing more such images.

Police discovered Stanley's actions in December 2022 and seized two USB sticks from his hostel room. The devices contained nearly 200 indecent images of children, including 52 pictures and five videos classified as Category A - the most serious form of abuse.

Stanley had previously been imprisoned for sexual activity with a child in 2008 and rape in 2011. He had also been jailed for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2010. Despite being aware of the SHPO's conditions, Stanley persisted in his illegal activities.

In court, Stanley's counsel argued that he was "living a lonely, isolated life" and had an "extremely disturbing upbringing." However, Judge Andrew Menary KC highlighted Stanley's persistent interest in children and his lack of remorse.

Stanley pleaded guilty to distributing indecent images, possessing indecent images, three counts of making indecent images, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

He was sentenced to an additional 32 months in prison. Judge Menary stated that Stanley "undoubtedly represents a significant danger to children."