A registered sex offender who continued to access sexual abuse images of children has been jailed.

Peter Howard, 36, was subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

But as part of monitoring by Sussex Police’s VISOR team, he was found to be in possession of an internet enabled device which was a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Howard had also used X.com to search for and to view indecent images of children.

This included seeing content which depicted category A, B and C images of sexual abuse on the platform.

At interview, Howard claimed he was searching for sexual images of children, but then accepted he had viewed the sexual abuse images.

He has previous convictions, including serving a prison sentence in 2021 of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child.

At Lewes Crown Court on 12 August, Howard, of Wallace Avenue, Worthing, admitted breaching a suspended sentence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and three counts of making or distributing indecent images of children. He was jailed for two years and two months.

The court was told how Howard was made the subject of a suspended sentence for attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and was subject to ongoing monitoring.

Detective Inspector Debbie Ricks said: “Our officers carry out regular monitoring of the activities of registered sex offenders to ensure they are complying with their requirements.

“It can include registered offenders ensuring they notify police of devices, such as mobile phones, they are in possession on.

“This case demonstrates that we will take action against those who are in breach of court orders designed to protect the public from further harm.

“Howard failed to comply with these court orders, and he is now serving a custodial sentence.”