A “persistent” sexual predator tried to hide his phone under a loaf of bread to stop officers from finding hundreds of indecent images of children.

Kevin Wyeth, 37, was living in a hotel after being released from prison. He had been serving a sentence for sending sexual communications to four children.

When police visited him unannounced in March, Wyeth tried to hide his phone under a loaf of bread next to his bed. Despite his efforts, officers found the device which contained hundreds of explicit images.

Wyeth, of no fixed abode, had also had text exchanges with children believed to be under 15 years old.

The Argus: Kevin WyethKevin Wyeth (Image: Sussex Police)

The sexual predator had been subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order dating back to child sex offences from 2006.

He was arrested and charged with three counts of breaching the order and making indecent images of children.

He was also charged with a related offence for not giving police the pin code for his phone.

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After pleading guilty to all counts, Recorder Hardy described Wyeth as a “persistent, repeat, recidivist offender” while sentencing him at Lewes Crown Court on October 12.

He was sentenced to 30 months in prison, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Sussex Police Constable Louise Blacker said: “Kevin Wyeth is a committed offender with an extensive criminal history, that shows he is a consistent danger to children.

“His persistent offending was rightly recognised at court and, alongside this custodial sentence, he will be subject to even more stringent measures to limit the harm he can cause to the public.”

Police say they believe that Wyeth may have other victims and are urging people who have been in contact with him to come forward.

Anyone who has been in contact with Wyeth is urged to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting serial 428 of 27/10.