PAUL FLYNN BIRKENHEAD LIBRARY CHILD PORN OFFENDER JAILED FOR REPEATED OFFENSES

In a disturbing case brought before Liverpool Crown Court, Paul Flynn, a 31-year-old resident of Birkenhead, was found guilty of using a local library's computer facilities to access and download illegal child pornography. The court heard that Flynn's criminal behavior resumed shortly after his release from prison, demonstrating a troubling pattern of persistence and disregard for legal restrictions.

Flynn's criminal activities came to light after he began frequenting Birkenhead Library following his release from incarceration on November 8. Initially, library staff, including librarian Pauline Black, paid little attention to his computer usage. However, on January 29, a colleague noticed that Flynn's screen displayed what appeared to be pornographic images. Recognizing the potential severity of the situation, the staff instructed Flynn to leave the premises. Despite this, he returned the following day and resumed using a computer, prompting staff to monitor his activity more closely.

Prosecutor Hannah Squire explained that a master computer system was employed to eavesdrop on Flynn's internet activity. During this surveillance, Flynn was observed engaging in a chat room where he claimed to be a 13-year-old boy. In the chat, he discussed sexual activities with another individual, raising serious concerns about his intentions and the nature of his online interactions.

Following these discoveries, Flynn was arrested at his residence on Bridge Street, Birkenhead. During police interviews, he admitted to knowing about the images on his internet site and expressed a plea for help, stating, “Yes, I know there are images. I need help. I have just come out of prison for the same thing.” He also acknowledged that his initial internet use after release was for legitimate purposes but admitted to downloading indecent images of children starting in January.

Flynn faced multiple charges, including three counts of making indecent images and one count of possession. His criminal history is extensive; in August 2005, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for downloading nearly 2,000 indecent images, some of which were described by a judge as among the worst he had encountered. Additionally, Flynn has a prior conviction for indecently assaulting a seven-year-old boy.

During sentencing, Judge Denis Clark expressed his condemnation of Flynn's actions, highlighting his determination and persistence in continuing his illegal activities despite previous convictions. The judge ordered Flynn to serve the remaining two years of his earlier sentence and an additional 12 months for the new offenses, to run consecutively. Furthermore, Flynn was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from using any computer in any library across the country, aiming to prevent further offenses and protect the community from his predatory behavior.