A CONVICTED paedophile, who groomed two girls over the internet, has been sent back to jail.

Keith Butcher, 38, was released from prison earlier this year after he successfully won an appeal to have his original six-year sentence halved.

But, months after he was released from jail, police were called in to investigate allegations he had been using the internet to prey on children.

Butcher, who was banned from using the internet and other electronic devices to communicate with anyone under the age of 16, was sent straight back to jail.

The probation service and police can send a convicted criminal, who has been released from jail on licence, back to prison if they fear they are about to reoffend.

Butcher, formerly of Longfield Road, Wickford, is now believed to be serving the remaining few months of his three-year sentence at Littlehey prison, Cambridge.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A 38-year-old man was recalled to prison in May this year after concerns over his alleged behaviour. The probation service decided the recall was the most appropriate action.

“Essex Police are continuing to investigate alleged offences of misuse of the internet and breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.”

In 2008, the Echo reported how Butcher, previously convicted of possessing child porn in 2006, had contacted his first victim, a 12-year-old girl, through an internet chatroom.

Three months after that offence, Butcher then used the web to target a 15-year-old girl.

He admitted causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of breaching a sex offender’s order.