Sex offender who bragged about convictions, jailed

Lewis Parker pleaded guilty after he was arrested in his home by Essex Police

A convicted sex offender, who bragged in an online chat room that he would not stop offending, has been jailed.

Lewis Parker 23, of Westcliff Avenue in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child and one count of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

An investigation by Essex Police revealed that Parker had discussed trading child pornography on the dark web.

He was sentenced to four years and four months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday.

Parker was arrested on suspicion of multiple offences at his home on 9 May.

During the arrest, Essex Police seized several devices Parker was not allowed to own due to previous convictions.

Conversations on the devices showed how Parker had been bragging about being "on the reg" which means Sexual Offenders Register.

He also appeared to be bragging that his previous convictions had no impact on him, said a police spokesperson.

Parker will remain on the Sexual Offenders Register for the rest of his life, the spokesperson added.

Det Sup Natalia Ross said: “Offenders such as Parker who are on the Sex Offenders Register do not just fall under the radar and we will continue to act on intelligence which may suggest they are not complying with requirements."