Officers had a variety of proof displaying a sample of offending over 13 months.
A prolific paedophile who paid to observe the exploitation and abuse of youngsters within the Philippines has been jailed.
Leslie Fletcher appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, November 20 the place was put behind bars for almost six years after beforehand admitting a string of sexual offences.
The 76-year-old grew to become the topic of a posh investigation after Google and Microsoft flagged the sharing of indecent pictures on their platforms.
Specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested Fletcher and seized his units – which had been then scoured by a staff of digital investigators.
When forensic examination of his units was accomplished, officers had a variety of proof which documented a sample of harmful offending between June 2020 and July 2021.
There had been incriminating conversations wherein Fletcher requested pictures and movies of infants and kids no older than 11 years old, in addition to receipts and data of calls with folks abusing their kids.
Fletcher, of Brancepeth Close in Washington, was later charged and beforehand pleaded responsible to a complete of 13 costs, together with three counts of constructing indecent pictures of youngsters, 4 counts of arranging the fee of a kid intercourse offences and 4 counts of making an attempt to trigger a toddler to interact in sexual exercise.
Seven of the offences associated to Fletcher arranging the abuse of youngsters overseas.
A choose sentenced him to a complete of 5 years and 9 months custodial and issued a Sexual Harm prevention Order and forfeiture of his digital units.
Fletcher should additionally signal the Sex Offenders’ Register.
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Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Rob Smoult from POLIT mentioned: “Our work to protect children from predators like Fletcher is a top priority for the Force and our efforts continue around the clock.
“We will do all we can to work with partners from platforms and providers as well as law enforcement across the world to ensure that paedophiles such as Fletcher are caught and brought to justice.
“I am pleased with the sentence given today as it shows that offending like this will not be tolerated and that people like Fletcher are not welcome in our communities. The fact that he entered guilty pleas for all offences is a testament to the hard work of all of the staff and officers involved in the investigation.
“Fletcher knew he had no excuse and was left with no choice but to admit his guilt.
“I hope the community can see how determined we are to prevent offences like these from happening, and how passionate and fiercely we will pursue offenders when they do happen.
“Harming children in this way is never acceptable and if you have been a victim, would like to report an incident or speak with an officer about someone you think may have offended, please get in touch.”
