LETTER: Time to pull plug for good on child porn websites

But meanwhile I believe there is also a need for the sentencing of those who access such disgusting images to be tightened up. Currently many of those caught having downloaded this filth do not even go to jail.

I totally understand the rationale behind sending them on intensive sex rehabilitation courses, including the well-respected “Northumbria” course, as this can address the underlying problem and protect the community.

But those for whom only prison is appropriate receive sentences frequently marked in months rather than years thanks to sentencing guidelines handed down to judges to follow.

This is no deterrent at all. Paedophiles, particularly those distributing images to other perverts, need to know such behaviour will land them behind bars for a very long time for they are attacking the fabric of society.

We have a duty to protect our children and every obscene image means a child somewhere in the world has been abused to meet the demand of deviants and their life scarred forever. It is appalling and must be stopped.

Paul Nuttall

UKIP North West MEP