Vincent Tabak and the porn searches the jury did not hear about.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

Vincent Tabak appeared to be an intelligent, sociable, loving man devoted to his girlfriend, his family and friends. But when police examined his background after his arrest over the death of Joanna Yeates they unearthed a secret life that they believe helps to explain why he killed his next-door neighbour.

Computer analysts found the Dutch engineer appeared to have a fascination with pornography depicting violence towards women. In some of the films he viewed, men held women by the neck while they had sex.

Detectives found that while away on business Tabak contacted escorts and prostitutes, and during a trip to California may have paid for sex.

Prosecutors in the case believe Tabak's fixation on hardcore pornography helps to make the case that this was a sex crime. They feel that his research on and suspected use of prostitutes shows that his respectable outward life was a lie.

After his arrest in January, analysts delved deep into four computers Tabak had access to and found disturbing material. Police discovered images and films showing women bound, gagged, degraded and controlled by men. They also found a film in which two women were bundled into a car boot.

In legal argument not heard by the jury, Nigel Lickley QC, …