A paedophile who had indecent images of children has been jailed for a second time for failing to sign on the sex offenders register and hiding two phones from police.

Robert Kavanagh, of Birling Road Snodland, was jailed in 2018 for a year after possessing the illegal images.

On his release he was under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricted the 46-year-old from using devices which could access the internet.

But in October 2019 officers entered his home and found he had attempted to conceal two mobile phones, both of which were able to access the internet and store images.

Checks showed Kavanagh had used one of the phones on the day he was released. Neither of the devices were disclosed to police.

He was also required to sign on the sex offenders registers on an annual basis, but failed to do so in 2019 and 2021.

'He appears to have no understanding of the gravity of his actions...'

Additionally, the Snodland man moved to a different address and failed to notify police.

Kavanagh was charged with breaching the sexual harm prevention order and with four counts of failing to comply with a sex offender's notification requirement.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, October 13, and was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.

Natalie Armstrong, of Kent Police's west Kent offender management team, said: "Kavanagh has been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

"He has been unable to adhere to these restrictions and has demonstrated a clear determination to access the internet, including online chatrooms.

"He appears to have no understanding of the gravity of his actions and has repeatedly sought to obstruct police during our efforts to carry out checks and monitor his behaviour.

"Orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, Kent Police will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions."

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