'Predatory' internet paedophile is sent to jail

Kevin Shutt pretended to be the step-dad of a friend when he made contact with an 11-year-old girl in London, but during a webcam link he exposed himself to the youngster and her sister.

Prosecutor Stephen Grattage said the two girls were left tearful and upset by the incident.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Shutt, of Park Fields, Halifax, performed a sex act during a similar link with a teenage boy.

A police inquiry was launched following the incident in November 2007 and officers tracked down the computer used to contact the youngsters.

The equipment belonged to a Halifax company where Shutt was employed and he was arrested.

Analysis of work and home computers revealed that Shutt had accessed a large number of accounts and officers also found thumbnail images of young girls which could be used as user profiles on contact addresses.

Shutt pleaded guilty last year to three offences of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and yesterday he was jailed for 15 months.

His barrister pointed out that his client had not been directly involved with any of the children and submitted there was no evidence of grooming but Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC branded Shutt a predatory paedophile who had gone to extreme lengths to target young children.

"I've read the victim impact statements and I note the appalling effect upon these children and the continuing effect of your invasion of their innocent and legitimate activity," he told Shutt.

Judge Durham Hall said the public, the parents of the children and the children themselves would be outraged if he did not impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Shutt was disqualified for working with children and was also made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order which restricts his access to areas such as swimming pools or leisure centres. He will also have to register as a sex offender with the police.

Barrister Ahmed Nadeem, for Shutt, said the case had resulted in his client losing his well-paid employment and the affection and support of his own family.