Paedophile was in Keighley Asda toilets with girls' knickers

Kurt Alexander was caught in the toilets of an Asda supermarket in Keighley in April, during the school holidays, “sweating profusely”, and in possession of three pairs of girls’ knickers.

Preston Crown Court heard the convicted paedophile had been jailed in 2011 for a range of sexual assault charges but following his release had been recalled to prison on numerous occasions for breaching his sexual offences prevention order and failing to comply with his notification requirements.

He was ultimately released in February, but just five days later he was making searches on a mobile phone relating to the ‘sexual abuse of children’ and ‘girl’s panties’.

Kurt Alexander (Image: Lancs Police)

Prosecuting, Cecilia Pritchard said that, sicne his release from prison, police had found nappies in his home as well as children’s underwear.

She said: “Then, on April 3 at 2.30pm, his offender manager was on duty and attended Keighley town centre after receiving information that Alexander had been seen entering numerous town centre shops.

“He was located in the men’s toilets in Asda, sweating profusely.

“They spoke to him about their concerns as it was half term, and he was asked to produce any devices he had on him.

“He handed over an Alcatel mobile phone, but officers asked what was in his top pocket and pulled out a Huawei smart phone.

“He was arrested having breached his sexual offences prevention order and was taken to the police station, and during the journey there he said he just wanted to plead guilty to everything.”

Ms Pritchard said a pair of girl’s knickers, aged five to six, were found in his pocket and two more pairs located in a washing powder box he had with him.

Police also found a micro-SD card which contained images of children – eight category C images featuring young girls between the ages of 12 and 14 in bikinis.

Ms Pritchard went on: “He’d also zoomed into their genital areas on these images which is where the making of indecent images comes from.

“He was interviewed and answered no comment but did in fact plead guilty at the first opportunity.”

Alexander, of Mason Street, Colne, has two convictions for 24 previous offences and pleaded guilty to two breaches of his sexual offences order, failing to comply with notification requirements, and making indecent images of children.

Mitigating, Kristian Cavanagh said his client had committed “abhorrent offences” and recognised he had done wrong.

Recorder Daniel Prowse said: “You had been monitored by the police since your release and had been found in possession of nappies, and on one occasion you were found in the children’s section of a library reading a book about child rape.

“You were also provided with anti-libido medication but had stopped taking these.

“Then in April you were found in Asda toilets during half term with two phones and three pairs of knickers, as well as a tourist leaflet with pictures of children on it.

“Your frankness with probation is to your credit but it’s very worrying as you say you are attracted to children.

“You also said you are sexually aroused by nappies and children’s underwear, and I am satisfied these were deliberate breaches.”

Alexander, 56, who appeared in the dock clutching a bible with a set of rosary beads around his neck, was jailed for two years and was made subject to lifetime notification requirements.

His previous sexual offences prevention order was replaced with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.