A PAEDOPHILE who had a manual about how to groom and abuse children has been jailed for 11 years for a catalogue of sexual offences.

Raymond Marco De Vries had thousands of indecent images of children on his computer, and also sexually abused children.

When interviewed by police he said he "had a preference for girls aged eight to 12".

Police hope the sentencing sends a 'clear message' that people who download and share indecent images will be tracked down.

Officers have also shared important numbers for people to call affected by such issues.

De Vries, aged 45, of Hillcrest Close in the Glue Hill area of Sturminster Newton was sentenced on Monday at Bournemouth Crown Court.

He was also handed a three-year licence extension once released from prison, made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told he would have to be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He had pleaded guilty at the same court in February to 14 counts which included inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with two children under 13 and making and distributing indecent images of children.

He also admitted possession of a paedophile manual - a guide on how to abuse and groom a child for sexual purposes which has been illegal to possess since 2015.

The court heard that in 2016 an investigation was undertaken by Dorset Police into the downloading and sharing of indecent images of children.

In June 2016 a warrant was executed at De Vries' home and he told officers that there was computer equipment that 'would be of interest to them'.

Officers examined his devices, which police said took a 'considerable amount of time' due to the quantity of devices and images.

There were found to be 2,258 Category A indecent images of children which is the most serious, 1,969 Category B and 27,201 Category C. Officers also found 619 prohibited images and 42 images depicting extreme pornography.

Evidence of sexual activity with children involving De Vries was also discovered.

The court heard that following his arrest, officers discovered that De Vries had been convicted for possession of indecent images in the Netherlands in 2000 and 2002. He received a custodial sentence on each occasion.

He was charged in January this year.

After the case, Detective Constable Wendy Stout, of Dorset Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “De Vries had a large number of indecent images of children stored on his home computers and admitted that he used them for his own sexual gratification. He also admitted committing offences involving young children.

"I hope this case yet again sends a very clear message to those involved in the abuse of children or those who choose to download and share indecent images of children that your activity will be discovered, you will be arrested and you will be brought to justice.”

Report Child Abuse:

Dorset Police: For non-urgent reports, or to make an enquiry, go to www.dorset.police.uk and follow the ‘Do it online’ function. Here you can pass all the details of your concerns to via the online enquiry form. You can also email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101. If you believe a child is in immediate danger please dial 999.

Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Local Authority Children’s Social Care:

• Dorset: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/393713

 Bournemouth: 01202 456900

• Poole: 01202 735046


You can also report directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) www.ceop.police.uk

• Child Online Safety Advice: https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/crime-prevention-help-advice/cyber-crime/child-online-safety/

• NWG http://www.nwgnetwork.org/

• Barnardos http://www.barnardos.org.uk

• NSPCC 0808 800 5000, help@nspcc.org.uk, www.nspcc.org.uk/childsexualexploitation

• National Helpline for male victims of CSE 07808 863 662

• UK safer internet centre website. www.saferinternet.org.uk

• CEOP resources suitable for parents and children of different ages: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

• Concerned about your thoughts or behaviour?

Visit: www.stopitnow.org.uk

• Child Online Safety: www.internetmatters.org