A PAEDOPHILE who tried to hide his sexual interest in children when downloading sickening images of abuse has been jailed.

Stephen Dews used a ‘tor’ browser on his computer, hoping it would prevent the authorities from discovering who was behind the illegal online activity.

But police traced accounts back to the 43-year-old and found he has over 350 pictures and films on three devices.

Durham Crown Court heard the films showed children as young as three being raped and Dews used Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media sites to discuss his depraved interests with others.

Prosecutor Joanne Kidd said Dews said: “Officers executed a search warrant at his home.

“They recovered three devices which were analysed and found to contain 143 of the most serious category A images, 112 category B images, and 99 category C images.

“There was a mixture of moving and still images depicting children as young as three being sexually abused.

“It was evident the children were in distress.

“The images had been downloaded onto one of the devices using a ‘tor’ browser – a browser installed by users wishing to hide their identity.”

Dews, of Glanton Terrace, Horden, admitted three charges of downloading indecent images of children between January and April, this year.

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, said: “Mr Dews is something of a loner, he is still living with his parents, and has never had a full relationship.

“He became isolated, and allowed his sexual interest in children to come to the fore online.

“Mr Dews has a job which he will lose if he is sent to prison.

“He was a man of previous good character, and he was frank and honest with the police when questioned.”

Recorder Nicholas Lumley jailed Dews for 12 months and made him the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order limiting his internet use.

Recorder Lumley told him: “It’s clear you have a sexual interest in young children.

“You perpetuate the abuse of children by providing a market for the abusers.

“This offending was persistent over a period of months, and I am satisfied you would have carried on offending had you not been arrested.

“Looking at the messages, one might form the impression you were distributing images to others, but the prosecution do not assert that so I am sentencing you for possession.

“No doubt your elderly parents will be bewildered when they find out what you’ve been up to, but there is no realistic alternative to immediate custody in this case.”