A "PERVERTED" chef has been jailed after police found indecent images of children on his devices - for the second time.

Ryan Hall, of Hill Close in Penycae, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.

The 22-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of making indecent images of a child at categories B and C, as well as possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Alexandra Carrier, prosecuting, told the court a warrant was executed at Hall's home in March last year.

When his devices were examined, officers found 25 indecent images of children - 22 of which were at category B and the remaining three were at category C.

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Henry Hills, defending, told the court that at the time when the offences were committed, between 2020 and 2021, his client's mental health was "particularly low."

He'd been using drink and drugs and attempted suicide, Mr Hills explained, having thought "there was no future for him."

Mr Hills continued: "He started a new job as a chef in January and received a promotion to a sous-chef and a pay rise last month.

"It's clear from the assessment in the pre-sentence report that he is someone who is motivated to change for the better.

"He is trying to make progress in his life."

But Judge Rhys Rowlands said he didn't "buy" the defendant's motivation to be rehabilitated, or his assertion that his accessing the images had come about because he was drunk rather than interested in looking at them.

"These are serious matters," he told the defendant.

"They are disturbing offences, more so in light of your previous conviction in 2019 for making indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

"The author of the pre-sentence report concludes you would be suitable for rehabilitation activity to address your perverted behaviour.

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"That said, it is reported elsewhere that you were reserved in discussing the offence and had little insight at all into the harm your behaviour causes.

"These offences involve your resorting to previous behaviour, and doing so not long after you were released from prison, after having the assistance of post-sentence supervision and probation - and while subject to register as a sex offender.

"I'm driven to the conclusion that an immediate custodial sentence can't be avoided."

For the 22 category B images, Hall was jailed for 30 weeks. No separate penalty was imposed for the category C images or the prohibited image.

Hall was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, and must register as a sex offender for the same period.

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