Latest Offenders Cornwall

Description

A Camborne sex offender has been jailed for six years after being convicted of the abuse of two young boys. 

Kevin Matthew Blake, 41, of Rosewarne Wollas Cottages, Camborne, was previously convicted by a jury of four counts of assault of a boy under 13 by touching.

Blake appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Thursday, June 26. He was also made subject of a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

During the proceedings, the court heard how Blake’s offending came to light in 2023 when concerns were raised that he had repeatedly declined to undertake a DBS check.

An investigation was launched in relation to two identified male victims, who both told officers they were touched sexually by Blake, the second victim saying it happened to him on several occasions.

During interview following his arrest, Blake denied any offending every took place.

Blake had previously been on the Sex Offenders’ Register but was not subject to it at the time of the start of the investigation.

Officer in the case DC Emily Distin from the Public Protection Unit, said: “Kevin Blake only had the courage to admit what he has done following his conviction, so I am happy that he has finally been brought to justice for his horrific crimes.

“I would like to thank the young victims and their parents for bravely supporting this investigation and allowing us to ensure Blake will spend a number of years behind bars.

“We take all allegations of child sexual abuse extremely seriously and urge any victims to either contact us on 101 or via our website, or by calling 999 if a child is in immediate danger.

“We will thoroughly investigate all reports made to us.”

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to making hundreds of indecent images of children, including dozens of the most serious kind, over a period of two years in Bristol.

James Kelvin now faces the prospect of a possible prison sentence following an appearance at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday, June 23).

Kelvin, of South Road, Goldsithney in Cornwall, was living in Bristol at the time of the offences.

Judge James Patrick heard that between November 15, 2019 and October 8, 2021, Kelvin had created 640 indecent images of children that were classed as ‘Category C’ severity, another 46 images classed as ‘Category B’, and 37 that were classed as the most serious ‘Category A’ images, included two that were video clips.

In an earlier hearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court in May, Kelvin had pleaded guilty to other charges - one of making pseudo-photos which were indecent images of children, and another of voyeurism.

The judge released Kelvin, 51, , who is originally from Bishop’s Stortford, on conditional bail after ordering a pre-sentence report to be made on him. Kelvin was ordered to co-operate with the compiling of that pre-sentence report and warned that when he returns to be sentenced on August 21, he could be given a prison sentence.

Description

A MAN has been jailed for 27 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing children.

Marc Bear, aged 38, and from Launceston, was also given a year on extended licence, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday December 5, where HHJ Judge Carr told him that he would be a risk to children for the rest of his life.

Following a trial which concluded in November, the jury found Bear guilty of the following 16 offences against children: ten counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity

They also found Bear not guilty of two offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Following conviction, the judge granted Bear bail in order to prepare for a custodial sentence, however he absconded and was located the following day in Somerset. The judge told him it was clear he had planned to abscond, saying: “that told me everything I need to know about your character”.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Tim Barbery from the Public Protection Unit said: “This was a highly disturbing case where the offender has exploited the vulnerability of young people for his own sexual gratification, and I welcome the sentence handed down by the judge.

“This has been a protracted investigation due to the nature of the offences and the strength and bravery shown by the victims in support of the police case has been crucial.

“I hope the outcome given today provides them with a small element of closure so that they can begin to move forward.”

Description

A pervert with a "distorted attitude" has been described as a "danger to children". Philip Matthews ended up in court after Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted that he was downloading illegal content.

A search of his electronic devices revealed he had downloaded videos and images of children as young as six being raped. At a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court today (Wednesday, November 20), it was heard he had downloaded 74 Category A images, alongside 17 Category B images and 13 Category C images. Matthews was jailed for two years.

The most recent discovery happened while Matthews was already under police investigation for similar offences.

The court heard that Matthews, who has several convictions for 11 offences of making indecent images of children, received a two-year prison sentence in December 2016 when he offended again having received a suspended sentence the previous year.

In mitigation, Ryan Murray said Matthews, who pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children at a previous hearing, had become desensitised to paedophilia, having been exposed to unhealthy material from a young age, which led him to "have a distorted attitude towards such material".

Mr Murray said Matthews' addiction to indecent images of children found online had been fed by a sense of isolation. He told the court: "When he moved to Bodmin, he didn't know anyone. When the nature of his past became known it led to isolation. This is a man who struggles to fit in and operates on the margins of society. Isolation then feeds his addiction. He has also recently lost his mother who had been a source of support for him."

His Honour Judge Robert Linford said Matthews is a man with a "disturbing list of previous convictions" adding that on this occasion he was found with indecent images of children when he was already under police investigation for a similar offence. Judge Linford said Matthews had breached a suspended sentence and had been put on a sex offender treatment programme in the past designed to address the root cause of his offending.

He added: "The course you went on has been found to be unsustainable and increased your offending. However, whether you access images of children being abused is up to you. No one is making you do it. One would have thought that having had a scare a few years ago, you would have been careful not to do it again, but you did do it again.

"There is no prospect of rehabilitation for you. You are a danger to children. These images are images of real children as young as six being raped for the entertainment of people like you. If people like you didn't watch, others would not film it."

Matthews was sentenced to two years in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being eligible for release on licence. A sexual harm prevention order for 10 years was also imposed. He will be on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Description

A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison and a further four years on extended licence after being convicted of child sex offences.

Ben Haymes, previously of Bodmin and Bude, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 20 September having pleaded guilty to assaulting a boy under 13 by touching, seven making indecent images of children charges, two counts of possessing extreme pornography, voyeurism, two possessing a prohibited images of a child charges and two counts of showing an indecent photograph.

Haymes was also made subject of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard how in July 2019 at an address in Bude, police executed a search warrant after receiving information an indecent image of a child had been uploaded to the internet by someone at the location.

A digital examination revealed that a folder linked to Haymes contained a number of indecent images of children. In one clip Haymes could be seen touching the groin area of a child over clothing.

The video was sent to another male along with messages in which Haymes stated his sexual intentions for the child.

Examination of Haymes’ devices revealed hundreds of further indecent images, spanning all three categories, some of the Category C images featuring another child known to Haymes, with Haymes again setting out his intentions for the child.

Haymes also possessed extreme pornography showing sex acts involving his own dog. 

Data extraction showed a number of secret recordings of boys using a toilet. There were also further conversations in which Haymes stated his sexual preference for young children and animals.

Officers in the case DC Charlotte Norris said: “I welcome the sentence issued to Ben Haymes after a lengthy complex investigation.

“I praise the family of the victim for putting their faith in the police Investigation and acting with dignity throughout.

“Ben Haymes is a dangerous sex offender who was in possession of horrendous child abuse images of young children and spoke freely about his desires.

“I hope this case sends out a strong message to those committing child sex offences and viewing child abuse material that we will find them and bring them to justice.”

Description

A man has been jailed for nine years for attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, causing the sexual exploitation of children, and making and distributing indecent photographs of children.

Luke Cowling, 27, of Tavistock Road, Launceston, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday 23 August for sentence having previously pleaded guilty to distribution of indecent photographs of a child, making indecent photographs of children, attempting to arrange/facilitate the sexual abuse of children and causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of children.

Cowling was made subject of a 20 year sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Cowling’s offending came to light after Devon and Cornwall Police received intelligence from the National Crime Agency (NCA) in August 2021, stating that a KiK account linked to Cowling had uploaded a Category A indecent video of a child to the internet.

In addition to NCA referral, Devon and Cornwall Police was contacted by the Metropolitan Regional Organised Crime Unit after Cowling engaged online with an adult profile expressing a sexual interest in children. During this conversation Cowling discussed meeting the profile to rape the person’s seven-year-old daughter. The profile was being operated by an undercover officer.

As a result of the information provided to Devon and Cornwall Police, a search warrant was executed at Cowling’s home and a variety of devices seized.

Examination of the devices revealed that Cowling had been in communication with a convicted paedophile in Merseyside who has since been jailed.

The two exchanged tens of thousands of messages with Cowling directing the other man photograph and video abuse of his adopted children and send it to him.

Cowling and the other paedophile exchanged various child abuse images and videos with Cowling even getting the other man to produce a contract acknowledging that he was a paedophile and that Cowling was his master. Cowling was also found to have distributed child abuse images to other online users.

During interview Cowling admitted having a sexual interest in children.

Officer in the case Sophie House said: “This was a complex police investigation which incorporated work from both the D&C Paedophile Online Investigation Team, The Merseyside Paedophile Online Investigation Team, the National Crime Agency, and the Metropolitan Regional Organised Crime Unit. 

“We welcome today’s sentence and hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view of consent and the wider implications of child sexual abuse material. Cowling and the other individual’s relationship was a true meeting of wicked minds, in addition to Cowling’s entrenched sexual interest in child sexual abuse material. 

Description

A newly released sex offender has been sent back to jail after he tried to hire a sex worker while he was staying in a hostel in Cornwall.

Christopher Wheeler had only been free for four days and was under strict licence conditions when police examined a phone he had just bought.

They found he had changed its settings to delete its internet history, which he was banned from doing by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which had been imposed when he was sent to jail the previous year.

Police suspected he had already started using his new phone to search for child abuse images because a download of his last device had unearthed 524 photos or videos and he has previous convictions for accessing such material.

The two police officers and the hostel manager were in the middle of examining his new phone when a text appeared from a prostitute asking why Wheeler had failed to make a rendez-vous in Camborne an hour earlier.

He was arrested, not for trying to arrange sex with the woman, but for breaking the SHPO by deleting the phone’s internet history, which was forbidden explicitly by the order.

It is the second time Wheeler has been jailed for breaking the order, having been sentenced to 20 months last August for trying to destroy evidence of him contacting children in chat rooms.

Wheeler, aged 31, of East Hill, Tuckingmill, Camborne, admitted two breaches of the SHPO and three counts of making, by downloading, indecent images or movies of children.

He was jailed for a year and four months by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court. He told him: “The police found the internet search history function turned off, disabling the retention of your online activity.

“You clearly had been engaging in activity online in the days since obtaining the phone but the full extent of that cannot be ascertained. That is why the order is there. I see from the pre-sentence report that you continue to deny a sexual interest in children.”

Mr Ed Bailey, prosecuting, said Wheeler was released from his previous sentence on May 10 this year and visited by his police offender manager at the Meneghy House hostel on May 14 after he told him he had bought a new phone.

A text message arrived before Wheeler handed over the phone and he managed to delete it before the officers could see it, falsely claiming it was from his father. A second text arrived as police were examining the phone which was from a prostitute and asking what was going on.

He had also used the phone to set up a new g-mail account without telling the police, something else which was banned by the SHPO.

The images offences arose from a full download of the Samsung phone seized from Wheeler when he was arrested in July 2023 for the SHPO breach which led to him being jailed the next month.

There were a total of 524 items of which 141 stills and 101 movies were in the most serious category, effectively showing children as young as two being raped.

Mr Nick Lewin, defending, said Wheeler is not tech savvy and does not know how the internet memory function was turned off. He said he should have been dealt with for the images offences when he was sentenced last year.

Description

A “dangerous” sex offender found with face masks, knives, balaclava and latex gloves failed to turn up for sentencing today.

Shaun Powell, aged 42, of The Glasney, Penryn was sentenced in his absence at Truro Crown Court today (Monday) after refusing to get on the transport from prison where he is currently in custody.

Powell also refused to attend his trial in May, where he was found guilty in his absence of three counts of breaching a five-year sexual harm prevention order made in March 2023, and a further three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

Prosecutor Phillipa Harper told the court that as the sexual harm prevention order still had four years to run the Crown Prosecution Service would not be seeking to extend it.

Powell was found guilty of breaching the order by failing to notify the authorities that he had acquired a passport and that he had a bank card, and in November 2023 failed to notify the authorities of a change of circumstances.

He was also was found to have breached the order by owning items in his possession found at the house he shared with his parents.

This included face masks, balaclavas and gloves, knives and bladed articles.

Judge Robert Linford said Mr Powell was “highly dangerous" and the harm that Powell could have done could have been “very significant” if the items found had been used for their intended purpose.

“It caused a risk of very serious harm,” said Judge Linford “even though he has not actually caused serious harm. Having regard to the items in his possession and considered the facts of the breach gave rise to the risk of very serious harm in light of his criminal record."

He said these offences were aggravated by previous convictions most particularly in October 2019 when he failed to comply with the notification requirements and breached that order.

The court heard that in 2010 he was convicted of outraging public decency, in 2013 he was convicted of masturbating in a public house and in 2016 he was caught masturbating in front of a female student at Falmouth University. When he was arrested he was found in the possession of a cosh and a Stanley knife.

The judge said he had read a pre-sentence report made without Powell’s engagement as he had not attended his appointment, and refused to avail himself for it. However it concluded that there was a very high risk of reoffending and the risk to the public was high.

It said Powell had not had the best start in life, he was socially isolated and only seemed to have the company of his parents although he had no mental health issues.

He said the offences were so serious that he could only consider a custodial sentence.

For the six breaches he was given a total of three years in prison.

An order was made for the destruction of all the items.

Description

A Cornwall businessman has been jailed for historic child sex offences. Aidan Treglown, 31, appeared at Reading Crown Court, in Berkshire, for sentence on Tuesday (July 9).

After an eight-day trial, ending on 24 April, Treglown was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count of sexual assault of a child under 13. He was also found guilty by majority jury verdict of one count each of sexual assault of a child under 13 and rape of a child.

Before the trial, Treglown pleaded guilty to two counts each of sexual assault of a child under 13 and causing/inciting a child to under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Treglown, of Tregolls Road in Truro, was acquitted of two counts each of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13, sexual assault by touching of a child under 13 and one count of rape of a child.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Treglown will also be on the sex offenders register for life, have restraining orders against his victim and two others and was granted a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The offending took place in Finchampstead between 2004 and 2008. Treglown was charged by postal requisition on 1 April last year.

The businessman runs Padstow-based House Management Group, a property maintenance and cleaning service company he became director of shortly after his 16th birthday, according to his LinkedIn profile. He's also currently listed as the director of House Management Services Ltd on Companies House.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Adele Shaw, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Aidan Treglown has now been held to account for the abhorrent offences against a child. The victim in this case has shown immense courage in telling someone what happened to them.

Description

A TORPOINT resident has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for sex offences involving a child.  

Anthony Beedell was tried at Leeds Crown Court on May 15, for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16, attempting to engage a child in sexual activity, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

Following the trial, the defendant was sentenced to a total of 36 months imprisonment and placed on the Sex Offender Register until further order.

Description

A sex offender who "ruined" a girl's life after trying to rape her in Devon has been jailed.

Friday Uguru, of no fixed abode, attempted to sexually abuse a 12-year-old in Axminster in November 2017.

The 50-year-old, who previously lived in Pinhoe Road, Exeter, was arrested over the attack but fled the county after being released while under investigation.

Uguru was jailed for nine years and six months at Exeter Crown Court.

He was also given a one-year extended licence.

At the end of his sentence, Uguru will be deported as he was in the UK illegally from Nigeria after arriving on a visitor's visa and overstaying.

Devon and Cornwall Police said Uguru was rearrested in London in February 2023.

He denied a charge of attempted rape but was found guilty by the jury at his trial earlier this year.

'Messed up my world'
His victim read out a statement in which she said Uguru's attempted rape had blighted her adolescence and led her to drug abuse, self-harm and suicide attempts.

She told the court: "It was like a bomb that went off in my life. It messed up my whole world.

"I did not think I would make it past 14. You have ruined my life."

The court was told Uguru travelled to Axminster by train on the night of the attack and assaulted the girl in an upstairs bedroom while her mother was cooking downstairs.

The girl got away from him before he completed the rape and ran down to raise the alarm, a jury heard.

'Courage and resilience'
Uguru had claimed DNA evidence found in the victim's underwear was part of a plot to frame him, but this was described as ludicrous and preposterous by the judge.

Det Con Jonathan Stephens, from Devon and Cornwall Police's local safeguarding investigation team, said after sentencing: "I welcome the result and I am grateful for the courage and resilience shown by the victim and witnesses in this case, and for supporting this investigation over a protracted period of time.

"I hope this case reassures the community how seriously the police take reports of child sexual offences and gives people the courage to come forward in future."

Description

A convicted sex offender in Cornwall is back in jail after being sentenced to a further two and a half years in prison for breaching a court order made previously to try and stop him offending.

Kevin Davis, aged 60, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday (April 2) after entering a guilty plea to a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) last year. 

His guilty plea came as he was about to start a two-day trial over the offence. 

Davis was residing at a bail hostel in Camborne after being released from HMP Channings Wood on August 17, 2023, where he had been serving a previous sentence.

After his release, monitoring software was installed on Davis’ laptop and on October 3, 2023 police were notified that the laptop linked to Davis had been operated in a concerning manner.

Police examination of the laptop found that Davis had viewed a small number of Category C indecent images of children.

Davis, contrary to the terms of his previously issued SHPO, had also deleted search history from the device.

At the sentencing hearing Davis was reminded of the terms of his SHPO - designed to limit his access to children and stringently monitor his internet usage - and sentenced to a new term of imprisonment, for two and a half years.

He must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and his laptop will be destroyed. 

PC Mark Kutler-Pearce from the Public Protection Unit based in Bodmin said: “Davis has a long history of offending behaviour and upon his release in August 2023 was being stringently monitored by the police Public Protection Unit.

“The further sentence given to Davis at court on April 2 has kept a dangerous individual from committing further offences towards members of the public and we feel the sentencing is just for the crime.”

Description

A head chef at an Indian takeaway has been jailed for sexual offences involving two teenage girls. One of the victims in the case was aged 13 at the time.

Rajon Ahmed, 40, from St Ives, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after previously being convicted at Truro Crown Court.

The sentencing was heard in Exeter as that is where trial judge, Judge David Evans, regularly sits.

Ahmed was convicted by a jury of sexual assault, sexual communication with a child, and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was found not guilty of a second sexual assault charge. Ahmed was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 7 years and be on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

During the trial it was heard how Ahmed was well aware the victims in the case were aged 13 and 16 respectively.

Despite this he followed the first, younger victim on social media and offered her cigarettes and cannabis. He then sent the victim explicit images of himself. Ahmed and the victim met twice and on the second occasion he kissed her and touched her inappropriately.

The second, older victim, was also communicated with on social media by Ahmed and offered cigarettes. On one occasion he hugged her and touched her inappropriately as she moved away.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Andrew Shorten said: “I welcome today’s result and I am grateful to the victims in this case for supporting this investigation over a protracted period of time. I would also like to thank West Cornwall Public Protection Unit for the comprehensive investigation which has brought this offender to justice and prevented further harm. I hope this case reassures the community how seriously the police take reports of Child Sexual Offences and gives people the courage to come forward in future.”

Police Staff Investigator Steve Panter added: “There is a real fear that the pattern of his offending would have escalated had it not been for the courage of the victims and witnesses to come forward and challenge his behaviour when they did.  I would like to thank the victims who should be commended for their courage and resilience during the investigation and the court process.”

Description

A paedophile who was jailed for grooming an "extremely vulnerable" child before having sex with her reoffended "almost immediately" after he was released from prison. Jason Thomas, 42, was jailed in 2021 after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He was given a five-year prison sentence, of which he served half, and when he was released in 2023 he had to abide by a sexual harm prevention order which banned him from downloading certain apps, using certain websites and trying to conceal his identity online, among other things.

But Thomas, of Pendeen, breached the order 12 times and found himself back before Judge Simon Carr at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty before magistrates.

Prosecuting, Katie Churcher said: "The background to that order being that it was imposed for a period of ten years following his conviction in 2021 with two counts of sexual interaction with a child. Following his release from custody, after he served what had been half of what was a five-year sentence, he was visited in Bridgewater by DC Allen and given another copy of the prevention order and handed over his phone.

"At that time they saw that the application Snapchat was on there. He was told the main feature of Snapchat is auto-deletion so was told he couldn't have that on the phone and it was deleted and he was reminded he needed permission to set up social media accounts.

"He was visited again unannounced on Jan 15 and handed over his phone again. He volunteered he had been using Whatsapp and said he'd been using Snapchat but had deleted it.

"My Google Activity was looked at to check internet history, there were searches for pornography and pornographic videos, it looked as though he had been deleting his internet history, and he had been using social media accounts that had been deleted including Tinder, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, various other live streaming apps, and private browsing applications.

"There was also an uninstalled VPN which conceals online IP addresses. It had been installed and deinstalled. Lastly they found his email account had been accessed, used and deleted. He was arrested for those breaches and interviewed on Jan 15. In essence, he made admission and when he was spoken to he said he had been doing things he shouldn't do."

Robin Smith, for Thomas' defence, said: "This man is very realistic about his position and his fate, perhaps the best mitigating factor is that he was extremely frank and candid with the police from the moment of arrest. Having spoken to him face to face he remains realistic and he appreciates he has some big problems to deal with.

"He is now in a state where he can accept the help given to him."

Sentencing, Judge Carr acknowledged Thomas' early plea and gave him full credit and added that the defendant's remorse seemed genuine. He said: "The circumstances of your offending is extremely troubling. Inevitably a sexual harm prevention order was made for a substantial period of time.

"After serving your sentence you were released on licence. It was clear you started offending almost immediately after you were released. What was found on the phone... is that you had set up a number of accounts and done everything possible to hide your identity. You put on devices to clear your history. You accessed sites that you would immediately delete like Snapchat.

"This is a serious breach of a sexual harm prevention order and you must have known so at the time. You have expressed remorse but you still present a high risk to children and I suspect you will do for a very long time."

Judge Carr sentenced Thomas to two 2.5-year sentences, which will run concurrently, giving him a total sentence of 2.5 years imprisonment. He will be eligible for parole after serving half the term.

Previously, we reported how Thomas groomed a vulnerable child before having sex with her. He later told the girl that hed be going to prison but the feeling of the encounter was the best feeling hed ever had.

Description

A convicted paedophile claimed that his internet searches for 'tiny' and 'tiny teens' did not relate to seeking out indecent images of children. Bryan Hammonde, 74, had installed Duck Duck Go, software that allows someone to browse the web without storing history.

Hammonde, from Lansdowne Road in Penzance, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence having pleaded guilty to breach of a sexual harm prevention order and four charges relating to him failing to adhere to notification requirements as a sex offender.

Prosecuting the case, Ed Bailey told the court how in 2020 Hammonde was given a non-custodial sentence for looking at sickening child abuse images showing young victims grimacing with pain. Hammonde had nearly 40 indecent images spanning all three categories of seriousness and was made to sign the sex offenders' register and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Mr Bailey told the court how PC Waite and DS Bradley attended Hammonde's address last month for an unannounced interview. Hammonde had had the terms of his order and registration requirements spelled out to him several times since his conviction.

Hammonde's laptop was found to have searched 'tiny' and 'tiny teens'. An inspection revealed that Hammonde had been using Duck Duck Go on his phone, which puts him in breach of his order which prevents him from removing browsing history.

When searched at the police station, Hammonde was found in possession of a number of bank cards that he hadn't told police about, going against his legal requirements as a registered sex offender.

Representing Hammonde, Ramsay Quaife said the breaches were not deliberate and that his client doesn't accept the searches were looking for child pornography. He added that the devices seized were still being looked at to see if there was indecent images on them, which may or may not lead to further charges depending on what is or isn't found.

Sentencing Hammonde, Recorder Richard Stead said that as an ex-IT manager, Hammonde would have fully understood the terms of his order, yet he still proceeded to use software capable of hiding internet history.