A CYBER stalker who used special software to anonymously harass men and had indecent images of children on his computer has been jailed.

Stuart Marshall of Leslie Avenue, Bury, has been jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to two counts of stalking, one count of computer misuse and 42 counts of possession of indecent images of children.

An investigation into 36-year-old Marshall got underway after police were made aware that he had been sending malicious communications to a man from Manchester in his 20s ­— bombarding him with messages and hacking his social media accounts using the internet to remain anonymous.

Around that time, another man around the same age reported almost the exact same circumstances and GMP’s Cybercrime Unit linked the offences.

Marshall was arrested a few months later on suspicion of harassment and offences under the Computer Misuse Act (1990).

After searching his computer and other electronic devices, officers discovered software that enabled Marshall to act anonymously on the internet while carrying out his tirade of harassment.

It wasn’t until the search led officers to a computer in his bedroom that they uncovered more than 40 indecent images of children.

Detective Constable Jim Lyons of GMP’s Cybercrime Unit, said: "Hiding behind his computer, Marshall naively thought he would never get caught but, thanks to the men who bravely contacted us to put a stop to his incessant stalking, we can now safely say he’ll be behind bars for some time.

"Those who use anonymous profiles on the web to carry out their prolific and disturbing offending need to be stopped and there’s only one way we can do that – with your help.

"People like Marshall take away the voices of victims who are unable to speak up against his offending but today, on their behalf, we’re here to say you are now the one who has been silenced."