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A SEX offender who went on the run in a bid to avoid being sentenced for possessing thousands of child abuse images has been locked up for more than three years.

Warren Bone was convicted on May 16 this year of making and distributing more than 9,000 indecent images, as well as possession of extreme pornography.

The 53-year-old, formerly of Cranleigh Road in Portchester, was due to be sentenced for these matters on June 17, but failed to appear in court.

The pervert was also under investigation for breaching his Sex Offenders Register notification requirements, by not registering a new address with police within three days of moving home or having no fixed abode.

Warren Bone, 53, of Cranleigh Road in Fareham, was jailed for three years seven months, for downloading more than 9,000 indecent images of children

A warrant was issued for his arrest, and following enquiries including the police launching a manhunt and calling on the public for help in tracking him down, more than two months later he was found and arrested on August 21.

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He was sentenced today (Friday, October 21) at Portsmouth Crown Court for three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, one count of possessing extreme pornography, and one count of failing to comply with his notification requirements.

Judge Shepherd jailed Bone for three years and seven months.

The court heard that devices belonging to Bone were seized by police and found to contain 5,586 category C images of children, 1,953 category B images, and 1,898 category A images – the most serious.

After initially denying knowledge of the images that were downloaded to his computer, Bone told police he had a drug problem and would look at the images for his own self-gratification.

Det Con Martin Timmis said: ‘Bone poses a clear risk to the public due to his perverse interest in downloading indecent images of children.

‘He actively tried to avoid being brought to justice, and knew full well he was wanted by police and the courts.

‘I hope that the public remain reassured that we take a robust stance against targeting sex offenders, particularly those who abuse or have an interest in children, and will work tirelessly to get these people off the streets.’

Fareham sex offender who went on the run to avoid sentencing and sparked a manhunt has been jailed