A PERVERT who viewed dozens of indecent images of children has been put behind bars.

Jason Cowie, 45, has been jailed for five years following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

Officers working for an online investigation team executed a search warrant at his address in March last year, following intelligence he had viewed the sickening images.

Cowie, of Oxford Crescent, Clacton, was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children and released on bail as the investigation progressed.

His computer and hard drive were seized and forensically examined.

Officers discovered a total of 159 indecent photographs of children, including 48 of the most serious Category A, 61 Category B images and 50 from Category C.

They also uncovered three Skype accounts and found chat logs which detailed Cowie's sexual interest in children.

In one incident, he shared a Category B video with another Skype user.

He was charged with causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, five counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to a total of five years imprisonment.

Cowie was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Detective Constable Jenna McQueen, of the Police Online Investigation Team, said:  “Cowie continuously denied any charges put to him, despite the clear evidence our team had uncovered. 

“Our work is to protect the most vulnerable members of society, and he continued to exploit and harm children, thinking he was safe in doing so from a computer in his bedroom.

“My team will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Cowie to justice, and I am pleased that he will spend time in prison for his abhorrent actions.”

An NSPCC spokeswoman added: “Cowie sickeningly abused a young girl and fuelled a vile trade in images that thrives off the harrowing abuse of vulnerable children.

“It’s vital that Cowie undergoes treatment in prison, as rehabilitation can help lessen the risk he poses to children in the future.

“The NSPCC is calling on government to regulate social media to force tech companies to do more to protect children from predators online and prevent this sickening material being published in the first place.”

Anyone concerned about indecent images or the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC helpline for advice on 0808 800 500.