Paedophile avoids jail at Leeds Crown Court after downloading sick child sex images for the second time

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar made the comments at Leeds Crown Court during the sentencing of 25-year-old Adam Oesterlein, who admitted three counts of making indecent photographs and possession of cannabis.

The court heard Oesterlein, of Hanover Street, Wakefield, had previously been convicted of downloading images in 2015, and was given a community order with treatment and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), designed to restrict his access to the internet.

Katherine Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested again in November last year after police visited his home and found a mobile phone under his mattress containing hundreds of indecent images.

Images included 45 photos and one video regarded as Category A - the most serious category of offending. The remainder of the images were Category B and C.

During interview he admitted that despite undergoing treatment he was still attracted to young boys.

Oesterlein had also self referred himself to a therapist to tackle his problems.

Kate Batty, mitigating, said: "He is an isolated individual. He has never had an intimate relationship.

"He had been doing very well and had been working at a company fitting shops across the country and had worked up to supervisor."

Ms Batty said that once news broke of his arrest, he was forced to leave the job.

"His feelings are very complex and he does not fully understand them himself," she added.

"He has tried to seek help himself."

Referring to his previous conviction and treatment, Judge Khokhar said: "You did not gain anything from that programme.

"When a person like you comes before the court for repetitive offending, what is the court to do?

Speaking about further treatment, he said: "I'm not very optimistic it's going to work, if that is the way you are then that is the way you're going to remain.

"It does not matter what courses you embark on. But I'm going to give you another chance."

Oesterlein was given a three-year community order with another sex offenders' treatment programme and another five-year SHPO.

Judge Khokhar warned him: "Should you fail to perform the requirements, I will reserve this case to myself and you will come before me and I promise you I will send you into custody."