A KIDDERMINSTER sex offender who downloaded thousands of indecent photographs and videos of children, including some of children as young as four being raped, has been jailed.

Paul Brannan, 49, of Mill Street, admitted three counts of making indecent images of children when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday, October 20.

He admitted making 81 indecent photos and videos at class A – the most extreme – 53 at class B, and 3,075 at class C.

Brannan was sentenced to 16 months in prison (16 months for the category A images, 12 months concurrent for the category B images and six months concurrent for the category C images).

A sexual harm prevention order was made which prohibits him from using any device capable of making an internet connection unless it displays the history and is made available on request for inspection.

He must also inform police of any address where he resides and of any names he may be using and is barred from working with children.

Brannan came to the attention of police through the National Crime Agency which led to a search warrant being executed at his home on January 8, this year.

Police seized various items for examination including a black memory stick and a desktop computer.

Indecent images of children were found on the devices – including in the computer’s recycle bin, one including a girl of four being raped.

In total, they found 79,258 unique images and 534 moving images which have yet to be graded.

Brannan also had file sharing software which can be used to download and upload material – although there was no evidence he was uploading material.

Brannan had 47 convictions for 263 offences with his relevant offending beginning in 2006. He has received custodial sentences for previous cases of having indecent images and has a history of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Daniel White, defending, said Brannan had been engaged with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a registered child protection charity, and the matter had been hanging over him since January.

Mr White also said his failure to comply with terms of the sexual harm prevention order was linked to his previous homelessness, but he had since been found accommodation.

He added: “He has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.”

Brannan had managed to secure employment on two occasions between 2007 and 2014, including working at West Midland Safari Park. When he was promoted to a supervisor at the safari park, he told them about his previous conviction from 2006 and he was fired.

Other attempts to find work have proved unsuccessful, ‘not least because of his previous convictions’ said Mr White.

His honor Judge Andrew Lockhart QC said: "One was a 21 minute video of a child of about six years of age being raped.

“There were other images of children as young as four being raped by adult men."

Speaking after the hearing, an NSPCC spokesman said by accessing and viewing the images, Brannan had helped to “fuel a sick industry which preys on children”.

The NSPCC spokesman said: “Worryingly we are seeing more and more cases like this across the country.

"In fact, the number of indecent image offences reported to West Mercia Police has increased by over 50 per cent in three years.

“In response, the NSPCC is pushing for technology companies to commit significant expertise and resources to preventing the publication and distribution of this offensive material.

“Social network providers and other technology platforms must realise that they are the key enablers of online child sexual abuse and make a serious commitment to tackling it.”

Anyone with concerns about a child’s welfare should call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000.