Paedophile who blamed ‘dead’ friend jailed
Raj Brett, who's 39 is also banned him from accessing the internet without permission from the police
A sex offender who downloaded indecent images of children and accused his ‘dead’ friend of committing the offences has been jailed for three and a half years.
Raj Brett, 39, was found guilty of breaching a sexual harm prevention order after he was found to be in possession of unauthorised electronic devices and indecent images of children.
Brett, a registered sex offender who was managed by the Bedfordshire Police’s Offender Management Unit (OMU), had been subject to the order which banned him from owning devices used to access the internet without permission from the police.
Having become increasingly uncooperative and aggressive towards OMU staff, investigators became concerned that Brett would soon reoffend.
Over the course of six months, investigators sort to engage with Brett who had become completely unresponsive to attempts to contact him. Police tactics later located Brett in Suffolk, where he was arrested for an additional breach of his notification order.
During a routine visit by investigators in November 2020, Brett, of High Town, Luton, refused them entry, which further raised suspicions among OMU staff. As a result, a warrant was obtained and officers forced entry into the property where a laptop and phone were found, neither of which had been declared by Brett.
Following a forensic examination of the laptop, investigators discovered two indecent images of children, as well as evidence of Brett attempting to cover his track by using multiple hard drives and software to clear his internet history.
During police questioning, Brett laughed when confronted about the images found and claimed one of the hard drives was left at his home two days ago by a friend. When questioned further about his friend, Brett claimed he had since died.
Brett, who refused to attend the hearing, was yesterday (Thursday) jailed for three and a half years at Luton Crown Court. He will also remain on the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order when released.
Investigating officer Deborah Simpson said: “It is clear that Brett has absolutely no regard for the police, nor the court and the measures put in place to prevent his vile reoffending.
“He is a persistent sex offender who consistently sought to operate in the shadows. Brett no doubt would have continued to access indecent content for his own disturbing sexual gratification.
“I would like to thank the court for imposing a custodial sentence, which I hope sends a strong message to those that refuse to adhere to strict orders that aim to keep our community safe.”