JOHN ANDREWS FROM LONGFORD SENTENCED AFTER SECOND DISCOVERY OF INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that has once again brought attention to the dangers posed by individuals with a history of offending, John Andrews, a resident of Longford, has been convicted and sentenced for possessing indecent images of minors for the second time. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring and managing sex offenders, especially those who breach court orders and continue to pose a threat to the community.

John Andrews, a 36-year-old landscape gardener living on Cooper Avenue in Longford, first came under scrutiny in 2016 when he was found in possession of indecent images of children. At that time, he was given a relatively lenient sentence—a three-year community order—along with a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Despite these measures, Andrews’ compliance with court directives was inconsistent, and he was found to have breached his sex offenders’ register requirements during a holiday to Tenerife, which he undertook without informing authorities.

The situation escalated in August 2020 when police officers visited Andrews’ residence to verify his adherence to the court orders. During this visit, an inspection of his mobile phone revealed that Andrews had been accessing pornography, which was a clear contradiction to the information he had previously provided to authorities. The device was seized and sent for detailed analysis, leading to a shocking discovery: 22 indecent images depicting boys aged between 12 and 17 years old. These images included scenes of sexual assault, further emphasizing the severity of the offense.

Investigations also uncovered that Andrews had conducted online searches using terms such as “first time boys” and “very young friends,” indicating a disturbing interest in very young minors. Andrews has a criminal record that includes six previous offenses, notably criminal damage, battery, and drug possession, which paints a troubling picture of his history of offending behavior.

Following these revelations, Andrews admitted to possessing indecent images of children. His plea led to a sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, where Recorder Ian Unsworth described his conduct as a serious breach of court orders and a failure to comply with legal restrictions. The judge concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate given the circumstances and the nature of the offenses.

As part of his punishment, Andrews was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. During the court proceedings, Andrews was supported by his partner, who was present in the public gallery. Despite his criminal history and breaches, Andrews continues to run his own gardening and landscaping business, which underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and enforcement of court orders to protect the community from potential harm.