'Dangerous and horrific' paedophile found with more than 2,000 images

David Martin Nappin, 38, was in breach of his sexual harm prevention order when an unregistered phone was found in his hostel room.

It contained contain 2,209 indecent images, including more than 800 Category A images of children - the most serious kind - and also images of beastiality - humans engaged in sexual acts with animals.

Prosecuting the case at Preston Crown Court, Beth Pilling said Nappin - who appeared in court via a video link from HMP Liverpool - had been released from prison into a hostel in Blackburn in July 2020.

He was subject to a number of conditions of release, including having to declare his mobile phone, due to the sexual harm prevention order.

Ms Pilling said: “There is a risk to the public of contact that he wouldn’t be able to refrain himself from.”

Workers at the hostel became concerned in November 2020 after Nappin was drinking more than usual and looking “dishevelled”.

They searched his room and found a mobile phone which they did not know about and called the police on November 10.

David Martin Nappin, 38, has been jailed for 2 years and 6 months with an extended licence of 7 years

Nappin contacted the manager of the hostel asking if he was going to be recalled, but the managed tried to play down the matter.

They asked Nappin whether there was anything on the phone, to which he replied: “Yeah, the stuff that got me in trouble last time.”

The search by officers found 2,209 indecent images including 802 category A, 491 category and 898 category C images of children.

The phone also contained another eight prohibited images of children and 10 images which portrayed an act of sexual activity between a person and animals.

Many of Nappin’s previous convictions include possession of indecent images but in 2018, he attempted to make contact and meet up with a girl he believed to be under 13, but she was in fact a police officer, for which he was jailed for two years.

In mitigation, Philip Holden said Nappin had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and police had taken 15 months to investigate the matter.

However he accepted Nappin has “brought it upon himself” to serve another stint in jail.

Judge Guy Mathieson said he had read about some of the images Nappin had on the phone, describing them as containing “the most horrific abuse”.

Jailing him for two years and six months, Judge Mathieson said: “You are driven by sexual desire for young children, particularly young girls - you accept that those desires define you.

“I cannot even begin to understand anyone who finds sexual gratification in such images then wishes to act out in their own means in such matters.

“You pose a great risk and that will remain, I would imagine, as long as you live.”

Nappin, who previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs, one of possessing indecent photographs and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image, will also be subject to an extended licence for seven years and will be placed under a sexual harm prevention order for life.