A man who used free Wifi in shops to download perverted images has been jailed.

Derek O'Rourke from Maidstone connected his phone to the internet at various places in the town centre to download indecent images of children.

When police arrested the 57-year-old at his home address in Fairmeadow, Maidstone on March 13, 2018, they found a phone with 29 images and videos - 15 were classed in the most serious category.

O'Rourke, a repeat offender, denied the device was his during an interview.

But investigators discovered the SIM card was registered under his name and charged him with four counts of possessing an indecent photograph or pseudo image of a child.

He was recalled to prison, as the investigation continued, having breached licence conditions imposed following a previous conviction for similar offences.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, O’Rourke then pleaded guilty to all the charges.

"The material he continues to access will have resulted from real children suffering appalling abuse..." - Detective Constable Wes Marston

He was sentenced on Thursday, October 31 to one year and eight months imprisonment and will continue to be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Wes Marston said: "O'Rourke is a repeat offender who has previously been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict court conditions to deter his ability to access illegal images of children.

"Despite this he has been unable to prevent himself from reoffending.

"He continues to demonstrate a determination to access illegal images with no understanding of the gravity of his actions and without remorse.

"O’Rourke also appears incapable of accepting the material he continues to access will have resulted from real children suffering appalling abuse and now he must again face the consequences of his actions."

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