A PERSISTENT sex offender who was banned from having access to the internet was found with almost 700 indecent images of children on his secret phone.

Following a series of offences including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making indecent images of children, and arranging the commission of a child sex offence, Alfie Davies was made the subject of a sexual harm protection order in 2019, which was varied in July 2023.

Under the terms of the order, Davies was banned from owning an internet enabled device not registered with the police, and holding social media accounts in names other than his own.

Officers seized Davies’ only registered internet enabled device last November, but between then and May, enquiries showed Davies had been logging in to his email account.

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The police searched Davies home on May 16. “He maintained he did not have any internet enabled devices,” said prosecutor Brian Simpson. Davies eventually admitted he had a smartphone in his room.

When his phone was examined, officers found 361 Category A indecent images of children, of which 344 were videos; 214 Category B images, of which 177 were videos; and 111 Category C images, of which 90 were videos.

The indecent images and videos included babies less than a year old being raped, Mr Simpson said.

He also had a Snapchat account under a name not approved by the police.

Davies pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images of children and two of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The 27-year-old defendant, of Taliaris, has 13 previous convictions for 52 offences.

Emma Harris, in mitigation, said Davies had issues which he “hasn’t properly dealt with”.

“When life becomes difficult for Mr Davies, he does not use the appropriate coping mechanisms,” she said.

“He’s well aware he faces a lengthy prison sentence.

“It is hoped he will be able to access support in custody.”

“The facts of this case really demonstrate that you have adopted an approach to court orders which effectively means you do not consider yourself bound by them,” Judge Geraint Walters said.

“The number of images in this particular case is significant.”

Davies was handed a six-year sentence, made up of a three-year custodial period and a three-year extended licence period. The defendant must continue to register as a sex offender for life, and is subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.