Convicted Sex Offender Jailed Again After Monitoring Detects New Offenses

A convicted sex offender has received another prison sentence following routine surveillance of the “high risk” individual, which notified law enforcement of his renewed criminal activity. According to Cheshire Police, monitoring software identified several troubling searches and online posts on devices belonging to Gavin Collins during April. The 40-year-old, a resident of Northwich, Cheshire, who had previously admitted guilt to child sex offenses, was promptly apprehended on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children, and his electronic devices were submitted for forensic analysis. This week, he received a 30-month prison sentence at Chester Crown Court, after police confirmed that his devices contained 92 indecent images of children. Authorities stated that Collins was also found to be in violation of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), having been discovered using a messaging application designed to delete messages and images after 14 days. Collins, whose address is Middlewich Road, pleaded guilty to two charges of creating indecent images of children and two violations of his SHPO. Detective Sergeant Keith Campbell commented that Collins had consistently shown the significant danger he presented to the local populace and displayed an absolute absence of regret. “He thought he could go on to offend without disruption, but thankfully our officers were able to intervene and put him behind bars.” “The work of Cheshire Constabulary’s sex offenders management unit is paramount to ensuring sexual predators like Collins face the consequences of their heinous and despicable crimes.” He added, “It is important to note that these crimes are not victimless, and I hope this result shows we remain steadfast in pursuing and bringing to justice those who engage in online child sexual exploitation and play a part in the sexual abuse of children in Cheshire and beyond.” For additional content, the best of BBC Radio Manchester is available on Sounds, and BBC Manchester can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas may also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external sites. Further details on our approach to external linking are accessible.