A pervert has been locked up for a year after being found in possession of more than 400 indecent images of children.

Paul Webster, 49, from Strood, was arrested in May on suspicion of theft from a shop and officers knew he was the subject a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The order requires him to hand over his phone to police for examination when asked by a constable.

On looking at the phone, officers saw what they believed to be indecent images of children, so Webster, of Hawthorn Road, was also arrested for this offence and the officers seized the phone and two memory sticks he also had on him.

A search of Webster’s home found a further mobile phone and a number of A4 prints.

Webster admitted theft and received a penalty notice for this offence before being recalled to prison for breach of his probation licence.

When interviewed about the indecent images he refused to comment.

A forensic examination of the phones, memory sticks and prints revealed that they contained 464 indecent images of children. Of these, two images were classed as Category A, the most serious level.

Webster was re-interviewed and admitted possessing the indecent images but would not explain to police officers why he had them.

He was subsequently charged with four offences of making indecent photographs of a child and one charge of possessing such images.

Webster pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court in July and was sentenced at the same court on Friday, September 1.

He will also be subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

After sentencing, PC Vicky Rixon said: “Webster was already the subject of Sexual Offences Prevention Order when he was arrested for these offences.

“He has shown a blatant disregard for the conditions of the order and the pain and trauma suffered by the victims in the images.

“He should reflect on his conduct whilst in prison.”