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>> Paedophile used libraries to distribute child porn

Judge Norman Wright spoke out after sentencing pervert Andrew Galeney to 32 months behind bars - when he wanted to sentence him to six years.

Judge Wright said the loophole - which gives offenders a third off their sentence if they plead guilty - allows convicts to avoid additional powers such as indefinite jail sentences.

The threshold for indeterminate sentences comes into force at six years.

He said it meant the whole purpose of the additional powers, to protect the public, was ineffective in cases were offenders plead guilty at the first opportunity.

Judge Wright told Preston Crown Court: "I cannot make a sentence of imprisonment for public protection unless I think the appropriate sentence is six years, because you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"Because parliament has changed the law I cannot take the route that I feel needs to be taken to protect the public in your case.

"A defendant who properly deserves a sentence of this kind can avoid it by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity."

Galeney has already served 259 days in custody - and could be out in less than a year.

Galeney, 45, from Beacon Lodge, Ribbleton, pleaded guilty to 24 counts relating to distributing, making and possession of images of children.

The Evening Post told earlier this week how Galeney was able to live close to children, 100 yards from a playground and close to Preston Grange Primary School despite being on the Sex Offenders Register.

SEE The Evening Post on Saturday for more on this story.

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