Jail for Surrey man convicted of 23 sex offences
25/06/2012
A registered sex offender is back behind bars today after being imprisoned for public protection at Guildford Crown Court.
Andrew Luby, 56, of Woodham Lane, Woodham, was found guilty of 23 offences on 15 May following a three week trial at Guildford Crown Court and was given a six and half year Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP).
These offences included three offences of attempting to encourage or assist the commission of sexual assault of a child under 13 years by penetration; one offence of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence; 16 offences in relation to making indecent images of children; one offence of possession of prohibited images of children; one offence of possession of extreme pornography; and one offence in relation to breach of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
An investigation was launched after it came to light that Luby, who is already a registered sex offender, was engaging in communications online, by text and by telephone with a view to arranging sexual activity with a child under 13 years.
Detective Inspector Paul Gordon, of Surrey Polices Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: "Luby is a dangerous sexual predator who was found guilty of 23 offfences as a direct result of our robust approach to the management of sex offenders. This was a complex and protracted investigation involving a large number of Surrey Police officers, as well as colleagues from other forces across the country and officers from the Czech Republic.
"The team worked tirelessly over a period of several months using innovative techniques which led to Luby's arrest. This successful conviction demonstrates Surrey Police's commitment to proactively monitor dangerous and violent individuals in the community and relentlessly pursue criminals to ensure public safety."
DI Gordon said that Surrey Police continue to work with other agencies to share information about offenders to try and reduce the risk to the public.
He added: "Offenders subject to SOPOs should be aware that Surrey Police actively monitors individuals to ensure orders are complied with. In Luby's case, police surveillance revealed he was trying to arrange sexual activity with a child under 13 years and he was subsequently arrested, charged and remanded so he could not pose any further threat."
Neil Sweet, Senior District Crown Prosecutor (Legal and Specialist), Crown Prosecution Service South East, said: "Today, a dangerous sex offender has been imprisoned thanks to a thorough international and local investigation by Surrey Police.
"Evidence obtained during the course of the investigation was considered by the Crown Prosecution Service and authority was given to charge these offences. The CPS and Surrey Police have worked together efficiently and effectively to bring Andrew Luby to justice for his deceitful crimes and calculated actions."
