Pervert who downloaded child abuse images was investigated for meeting 13-year-old girl in Leeds

Zack Eyles was caught with the vile pictures on his phone, and while under investigation bought another device and began downloading again, Leeds Crown Court heard.

The 20-year-old was first arrested in September 2019 on suspicion of meeting an underage girl for sexual purposes. However, the case was eventually dropped.

His devices were seized and police came across more than 100 images, including 36 regarded as Class A – the most serious – 19 in Class B and 64 in Class C. Children as young as six were being abused in the images

He was interviewed but gave no comments. While out on bail, he bought another phone and continued to seek out the illegal material and was re-arrested. They found 41 Class A images, 24 Class B and 75 Class C.

On this occasion, they involved children as young as one. He eventually claimed that he used an app to talk to others because he suffers from social anxiety, and the pictures must have been sent to him. He claimed he saw them and deleted them. Mitigating, Nicholas Hammond said that Eyles, of Broughton Grove, Skipton, had self referred to Safer Lives, a course designed to help sex offenders.

He added: “He acknowledges the difficulties he has and has sought out help. It’s a good indication that he has acknowledged the problem he has. That’s important for rehabilitation. Probation have said he is someone they can work with. Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Eyles: “One thing you have got to understand is that you can’t download images of children. Those who do are simply encouraging that type of industry to create more of these images.

"My primary duty is to protect the public. These offences were committee when you were 17 and 18. There’s reference to your immaturity and there has been a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

"You have already taken steps some of the problems you have.”

He gave him a 24-month community order, 30 rehabilitation days and a five-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to limit his internet use.