A SOUTHAMPTON paedophile who tried to stop police from searching his laptop, containing images of children as young as two, has been jailed.

Chris Gregory attempted to encrypt his Apple laptop to stop officers from discovering the videos.

The 41-year-old, of Rolesbrook Gardens, also refused to give up his passwords or pin codes, a court heard.

But trained officers managed to decrypt the device, which was later found to contain dozens of videos of child abuse.

Southampton Crown Court heard police raided Gregory’s home in February 2016.

Officers removed a laptop, that was found to have six images, including a category A moving image – the most serious kind.

Police raided his home again in October, seizing an Apple laptop and an iPhone on which they found more images, including 56 moving category A.

The laptop also contained a number of unsavoury search terms and a Skype chat which had been used to discuss the abuse of a child.

Gregory admitted possessing the images, although claimed he had “not watched all of them”.

Defending, Joanne Chester, said her client was abusing drugs and alcohol , following the break-up of a long-term relationship and the loss of his business.

She said that Gregory had since returned to work and wanted to turn his life around.

Ms Chester added that his lack of co-operation with the police was down to his “absolute shame and regret”.

Judge Peter Henry said: “The probation report puts you at low risk of reoffending but I find that difficult to accept.

“Having been arrested you chose to do this again.”

Gregory’s failure to co-operate with the police could be perceived as a lack of remorse.

The judge added: “The striking feature of this case is the sheer number of category A images. That is the most serious aspect of this case, the large number of appalling and disgusting images. I would be failing in my duty if I did not impose an immediate custodial sentence.”

Gregory was given a 15 month sentence for the possession of category A images which was reduced to 10 months in lieu of his guilty plea. He was also given separate four month and two month sentences, which will run concurrently, for possession of category B and C images respectively.