Paedophile jailed over child porn

Jun 18 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A SERIAL paedophile has been put behind bars indefinitely for downloading child porn at work.

Mark Thompson, 55, was jailed for 12 years in 1999 for a string of sex attacks on young girls and boys over 20 years.

The former accountant was released in 2005 after serving half his sentence and managed to get a job in Birkenhead.

But Liverpool Crown Court heard that within weeks he was using his employer’s computers to download scores of obscene images of children.

He later claimed he had been looking at the indecent pictures, many of very young boys, as a “coping strategy”.

But Judge John Roberts yesterday ruled Thompson, from Moreton, was still a danger and imposed an indefinite sentence for public protection.

Thompson will serve a minimum of three months before being considered for parole, but was warned he may never be released.

Judge Roberts said: “Whether you will ever be let out and, if so, when that will be, is a matter for the parole board. You will never be released unless the parole board decide you are no longer a risk to young boys.”

Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, told the court that in November 2006 Thompson was warned by his bosses at JFM Plant Hire about his use of the computer.

A month later a female colleague discovered files of obscene images on the machine while Thompson was at a doctor’s appointment.

Thompson was suspended and later admitted seven offences of making indecent pseudo images and a further charge of possessing 103 indecent images.

Nicholas Ryan, defending, said Thompson was looking at the images to try and “confront his demons”.

Thompson has a long record of sex attacks dating back 30 years and has served at least three prison sentences.

He was jailed in 1999 after targeting the children of single parents, befriending them and buying them gifts.

He abused 13 children, aged between five and 14, luring some to New Brighton’s Fort Perch Road.

Thompson made video recordings of some of his attacks.

Judge Roberts said: “After careful consideration I have concluded the sole reason for your actions was your continuing strong attraction to young males, an attraction which carries with it a real danger to young boys.”

In April, Thompson was banned from owning cameras and computers as part of a sex offenders’ prevention order imposed at Wirral Magistrates Court.