Police set to return child images to paedophile

A paedophile is set to have intimate photographs of a young girl he abused returned to him by police who say their hands are tied by the law.

The man was jailed for nine years over of a string of sex offences last including the sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

He has now requested the return of his mobile phone and laptop, which contain images of the young victim in swimwear and leotards.

Despite objections from the victim's family and human rights campaigners Liberty, Dorset Police said they can not delete them as they are not legally classified as indecent or prohibited.

Liberty has argued that returning the images would breach articles three and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect against inhuman treatment and invasion of privacy respectively.