A BARRISTER raised concerns about delay in the case of a Malmesbury paedophile caught with a vile stash of indecent images – more than two years ago.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court, Domingos Filho admitted downloading three videos in the worst category – which includes child rape – one still image of a similar nature and a further three photographs in category B.

The indecent images of children were downloaded on Halloween 2017.

Lucy Morell, for Filho, questioned why it had taken so long for the case to reach the crown court. “This is a case where there has been a significant delay. Your honour will see from the counts the offences relate to October 31, 2017.

“Intelligence was received by the police on February 2, 2018.”

Filho was interviewed in October 2018 and admitted wrongdoing. A statement was written by the detective constable in charge of the case in June 2019 and a summons was issued in December 2019.

“It’s not apparent from the case papers why there has been delay,” she said.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke said: “I rather suspect it’s a combination of the whole business of release under investigation, the delays in computer investigation and the delays of the CPS charging. There will be three different reasons I’m sure.

“It doesn’t excuse it but it’s an explanation and I’m afraid it’s one increasingly I find myself having to give to courts.”

Filho, of Athelstan Road, Malmesbury, was bailed to be sentenced on March 20. Judge Paul Cook ordered a pre-sentence report be prepared by the probation service.