Child rapist returned to jail after he was caught downloading vile images of sexual abuse

Wesley Strudwick, 47, sexually abused two primary school children and was handed a 14-year prison sentence in 2010.

The pervert, originally of Bulwark Road, Shoebury, was released part-way through his jail term and moved to Swanstead, in Basildon.

Basildon Crown Court heard Strudwick, whose crimes were described as “offences of the highest gravity” by the judge at his original sentencing, will now not be released until 2023.

He admitted possession of 293 of the most serious category A images, 310 category B images and 1,704 category C images on May 30 this year. Strudwick also admitted possession of extreme animal pornography involving horses.

The court heard Strudwick used a laptop, tablet and a hard drive to view abuse websites and store images, devices he purchased without informing police, breaking a sexual offences prevention order.

Strudwick appeared in court for a sentencing hearing, but Richard Jones, prosecuting, said further admissions were made to probation officers and police are now investigating.

He said: “The author of the report says it does appear that he has committed a more serious offence than what he is facing sentence for today. We ask for more time for him to be spoken to by police. It may go nowhere but it must be looked at.”

Matthew Bone, mitigating, said Strudwick had no objection to the delay. He said: “This defendant is in custody and he will remain in custody.”

Judge Ian Graham agreed to adjourn the case until September 6.

The judge also presided over the original sentencing in 2010. Back then, the court heard how Strudwick stored thousands of indecent images of children, many depicting the rape of children as young as six. Some of the images were of himself abusing his victims.

Speaking afterwards, Det Con Paul Alabaster, of Rayleigh Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “This is one of the worst cases of the sexual abuse of young girls I have had to deal with.

“The man sexually assaulted and raped the two girls over a long period of time.”

Judge Graham said: “This was as serious sexual abuse as is is possible, and it included offences of the highest gravity.

“The photographs you were found with were not just made up or fantasies. They were of real children being subjected to degenerative sexual abuse.

“It is difficult to imagine a more serious case.”

Strudwick admitted four counts of rape, one of engaging in sexual activity with a child, four of encouraging children to engage in sexual activity, one of sexual assault, two of making indecent images of children, and one of possessing extreme porn.