Man jailed for possessing child abuse images

David Crookes was arrested in 2022 as he tried to flee the country

A paedophile who tried to flee the country with indecent images of children has been jailed for 13 years.

David Crookes, of Link Road, in Canvey Island, Essex, pleaded guilty to having 580 images and videos of child sexual abuse.

The 67-year-old had been commissioning the sexual abuse of children since 2010 and one member of Essex's Police Online Investigation Team, which investigated the case, said Crookes' crimes were some of the "most graphic" they had seen in their career.

Crookes was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which means he will spend another five years on extended licence after his jail sentence.

Essex Police said Crookes was arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police in 2022 while trying to leave the country.

He had pleaded guilty to all nine offences which included causing a child to watch a sexual act, distributing indecent images of a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Jack Morgan said: "The victims in this case endured some of the most prolonged abuse and grooming I have encountered as a police officer.

"Seeing Crookes jailed is crucial to not only keeping them safe but also others."