A dangerous paedophile who searched the internet for babysitting work and downloaded child abuse images is behind bars.

Nathan Shrubsole, 27, of London Road, Dover, also carried out internet searches for "baby rape" and "finding children to be raped in Dover".

He admitted five counts of possessing indecent images of children at Canterbury Crown Court.

Shrubsole also admitted possessing amphetamine, failing to turn up for court and failing to notify the authorities of his whereabouts.

The court was told Shrubsole had also been found in possession of business cards advertising himself as available for sex and gave details of the hostel where he was living.

Judge Adele Williams sentenced him to five years in prison. He will serve the first 32 months in custody and the rest on licence.

She said when his laptop was seized and examined it showed he had been on various social networking websites using different names and had downloaded indecent images of children.

"you have a below average iq and have an emotionally unstable personality and i have no doubt you pose a significant risk to children…” – judge adele williams

These ranged from the lowest to the highest in seriousness, Judge Williams said, and showed children aged 10 to 14.

The judge went on: "As well as that your search history showed that you had searched for the terms 'baby rape', 'five-year-olds', '10-year-olds' and 'finding children to be raped in Dover' and for babysitting opportunities to take part in."

Shrubsole has a previous conviction for having sexual activity with a child in 2009 when he was given a three-year community order by Maidstone Crown Court, together with sex offender treatment.

He once ran away to Gretna Green with a 15-year-old girl with the intention of marrying her, the court heard.

"There's no doubt you have made some progress, but unfortunately you have committed these fresh offences and they are an escalation of your offending," Judge Williams added.

"You have a below average IQ and have an emotionally unstable personality and I have no doubt you pose a significant risk to children.

"You have a problem which needs addressing and you should take advantage of all the help you can get."

Shrubsole was also given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to run indefinitely.