Child porn must be blocked: Call for controls as April Jones’ parents speak out

Effective measures to stamp out child pornography online must be introduced in the wake of the murder of April Jones, the NSPCC has warned.

The warning comes as the schoolgirl’s parents revealed they believe killer paedophile Mark Bridger will never reveal where their daughter’s body is.

Former slaughterhouse worker Bridger was jailed for life without parole yesterday after being found guilty of the murder and abduction of April on October 12 last year.

He was condemned by a judge as a cruel and calculating pervert who killed the five-year-old to live out a sexual fantasy after downloading and viewing obscene images of children online.

The case adds to growing evidence of a link between child porn and committing other serious sexual assaults, Phillip Noyes, NSPCC acting chief executive, said.

Earlier this month, Stuart Hazell was jailed for 38 years for the murder of 12-year-old Tia Sharp having searched for child porn online.

‘It seems Bridger lived in a fantasy world which included looking at child abuse images online,’ said Noyes.

‘For some time we have been concerned about the growing number of these obscene images which are becoming more easily available and can fuel the fantasies of offenders like Bridger.

‘This case points to the ever-growing evidence that there is a worrying link between looking at this vile kind of material and committing other serious sexual assaults.

‘April’s death will hopefully lead to effective measures to stamp out this vile trade.’

Jim Sheridan, who sits on the Commons culture committee, added: ‘I know it’s extremely difficult to ban it (but) I think with the political will and the technology, if you can do it, we should be doing it.’

Meanwhile April’s parents, Paul and Coral Jones, said they believe ‘there is no way’ Bridger will reveal where their daughter’s body is.

‘It’s the not knowing that’s the hardest part. It’s my worst nightmare come true,’ said Mrs Jones in an interview with the Sun.

‘We haven’t got a body to give April a proper burial and that breaks my heart.

‘Lots of people have questioned him, but he’s refused to tell us all along. If he’s lied to police, barristers, the judge, there’s no way he will tell me where my little girl is.’

Police believe Bridger dismembered her body before dumping the body parts at various locations near his home in Cienws, mid-Wales.

A criminal psychologist has claimed Bridger ‘definitely knows how April came to her death’ but warned it could take years for him to reveal exactly what happened.