Latest Offenders

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A Merseyside man has been jailed for a series of child sexual offences following an investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT).

Robert Daw, 26, of Redwing Lane, Liverpool, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 September) after admitting multiple offences relating to the sexual exploitation of children online. He also received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

The investigation began after Daw used social media and messaging platforms to communicate with someone he believed to be under-16 years of age. During the conversations, he sent sexually explicit messages and attempted to develop a sexual relationship.

Officers arrested Daw in December 2024 and seized a number of electronic devices for forensic examination.

Digital forensic examination of Daw's devices uncovered indecent images of children, prohibited images of children, and evidence that he had been communicating with numerous children online. Investigators recovered almost 1,500 screenshots and screen recordings of online conversations, together with indecent images and videos that had been stored on his devices. Officers were able to identify and safeguard three children aged 12 and 13, with support provided through the relevant police forces and partner agencies.

Detective Constable Naomi Puig from the NWROCU's Internet Child Abuse Team, said:

"Daw used online platforms to target and exploit children for his own gratification.

"Through detailed digital investigations, officers uncovered the extent of his offending and were able to identify and safeguard a number of children.

"This sentence demonstrates our commitment to pursuing offenders who use the internet to target children and bringing them to justice."

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Convicted rapist jailed for posing as lottery winner to breach sexual harm prevention order

Leon Pedley, 34, of Latimer Road, Annan, has been jailed for two years and eight months after posing as a lottery winner and offering a woman £60,000 to spend a weekend with him at a Carlisle hotel.

The deception was a breach of his sexual harm prevention order, imposed after his 2012 conviction for “abduction and rape” in Scotland. The order bans him from any face-to-face contact with a woman unless approved in advance by his offender manager.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke told Carlisle Crown Court that Pedley cynically duped a vulnerable woman. Pedley spent the weekend with her at the hotel. It was accepted he did not have the £60,000 he promised. An earlier hearing was told there appeared to be “deliberate targeting.” Burke described the incident as a “deliberate breach” of the order.

Days before the encounter, Pedley had been released from jail for similar offending. He had served 23 months after posing as a millionaire to gain “sexual favours,” offering a woman £4,000 to meet and another £4,000 if she would have sex with him. She received no money.

Pedley was investigated for an alleged rape during the hotel stay, but prosecutors took no further action.

Judge Michael Fanning imposed the sentence. Pedley remains on the Sex Offender Register.

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Robert Ashcroft, of no fixed address, groomed the child from December 2025.

The 41-year-old targeted and sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions up until February 2026 when she found the courage to disclose what he had done.

After it was reported to police, he was arrested and questioned in custody before being charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He was also charged with a separate attempted burglary offence.

Ashcroft initially denied the offences against him until after the child had given evidence in court. He then changed his plea to guilty.

On Friday 4 September Ashcroft appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced to 10 years and five months imprisonment. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

During the trial, the court heard how Ashcroft was caught by the occupant who watched him via doorbell footage trying to break in.

He was arrested nearby on the day it occurred on Monday 7 July 2025.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Thompson, from Cleveland Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“Ashcroft exploited and abused the young child and refused to accept responsibility for his heinous actions. It was only until a week before the trial after putting the child through unparallelled stress and trauma that he admitted to what he had done.

“I want to commend her for the courage and strength shown throughout the investigation. The resilience she has demonstrated throughout has been remarkable for such a young person and I sincerely hope she is proud of herself for that.

“While no sentence can undo the harm and trauma caused, I believe the length of this sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences. I hope it provides the child and the family a sense of justice and enables her to move forward with her life.

“Finally, I want to remind anyone else who is suffering abuse of any kind that help is available and I urge and encourage you to come forward. We have specially trained officers who will listen to you, who will believe you and who will support you - frequently supplemented by help from our expert local agencies."

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the City of London was sentenced yesterday (Monday 7 September 2026) at Southwark Crown Court.

Sofiane Belasri, 41, of Dalston Lane, E8, was found guilty following a trial in July 2026.

On 4 July 2024, Belasri approached the victim, who was with her two friends, near Liverpool Street station. The friends went on to sit on some steps outside the station on Bishopsgate.

Belasri sat behind the victim and repeatedly touched her, grabbing her and putting his arms around her neck, while trying to kiss her.

The victim told him that she wasn’t interested and to get off her, but Belasri went on to put his arms over her shoulders and touched her breasts.

Belasri then offered to buy them a vape if they went down an alley with him and performed oral sex on him.

At this point, the victim’s friend ran across the road to Bishopsgate Police Station to report Belsari.

City of London Police officers immediately went to the scene and arrested Belasri for sexual assault.

Yesterday, the court gave Belasri a two-year suspended sentence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years

Detective Inspector Matthew Alexander, of the Public Protection Unit at the City of London Police, said:

“I want to praise the victim and her friends for the bravery they have demonstrated in coming forward. Without her assistance we wouldn’t have been able to bring this case to court.

“We recognise that reporting offences of this nature can be difficult, and we would encourage anyone who has been affected, or who has concerns about the safety of another person, to contact police.

“Our specialist officers are trained to handle reports with care, sensitivity and professionalism, while working relentlessly to investigate offences and bring offenders to justice.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe. We will continue working closely with partners and communities to identify offenders, protect vulnerable people and keep the City a safe place for all who live, work and visit here.

“We are reviewing the sentence handed down by the court.”

Description

A registered sex offender has been convicted of sexually communicating with a child following a complex joint investigation by our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT), Digital Forensic Investigation Unit (DFIU) and Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU).

James Davidson (17/05/1966) of Stockport was sentenced to two years and seven months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 September 2026) after pleading guilty to 25 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one count of sexual communication with a child yesterday (Monday 7 September).

Davidson will have his SHPO extended alongside his Sex Offender Registration Requirements by another 10 years.

He was previously jailed for two years in 2020 for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming, and attempting to cause a child under 16 to watch a sexual act. Following his release from prison, Davidson was managed by GMP's Sex Offender Management Unit.

In March 2025, officers from SOMU executed a warrant at Davidson's address after receiving information that he may have breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

During a search of the property, officers located several electronic devices which Davidson had failed to declare, placing him in breach of both his SHPO and sex offender registration requirements.

Davidson was charged and remanded in custody for these offences before later being granted bail by the courts pending further proceedings.

The devices seized were submitted to GMP's Digital Forensic Investigation Unit for examination. Investigators faced a significant challenge due to the volume of devices recovered and Davidson's refusal to provide passwords and access credentials, which itself constituted a further breach of his SHPO.

Despite these obstacles, forensic specialists successfully decrypted the devices and conducted a detailed examination, uncovering a substantial amount of digital evidence.

Investigators discovered Davidson had been communicating online with multiple girls while using aliases and falsely presenting himself as a 17-year-old boy.

Further enquiries identified a child victim who had been targeted by Davidson. Messages recovered by investigators showed Davidson discussing his desire to have sex with the child.

After being informed the victim was only aged 14, Davidson stated that he ‘didn't care about the age’ and went on to describe his sexual desires in explicit detail.

The victim was identified and safeguarded with specialist support put in place. The child provided evidence which helped investigators build a strong case against Davidson.

In June 2025, Davidson was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. A further search of his address uncovered additional undeclared devices, resulting in further breaches of his SHPO.

Davidson was subsequently charged and remanded into custody. He remained in custody throughout these proceedings.

Although Davidson initially denied the offence of sexual communication with a child and elected for a trial, he changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to commence on Monday 7 September.

Detective Constable Katy Shadwell, of our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

"Davidson is a predatory offender who repeatedly ignored court orders designed to protect children and reduce the risk he posed to the public.

"This investigation demonstrates the determination of our officers and staff to identify and safeguard vulnerable children, regardless of the lengths offenders go to in order to conceal their activity.

"This sentencing is the result of outstanding teamwork in GMP, whose combined efforts uncovered overwhelming evidence of Davidson's offending and ensured he was brought before the courts.

"I would also like to commend the courage of the child victim, whose support and assistance played a vital role in securing this conviction."

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An Oldbury man has been jailed for more than 17 years after coercing young girls into sending indecent images.

Arun Wilding contacted several girls, all under 16 years of age, on social media and blackmailed them into sending indecent images.

His offending started in December 2024 and lasted until December 2025.

The 22-year-old would like and comment on girls’ social media posts before messaging them privately. The conversation would then move to another social media platform where he would ask the girls to send images of themselves.

If they stopped responding to him, he harassed and blackmailed them, threatening to share their images online until further images were provided.

Wilding found out which area or school the girls attended to frighten them into complying with his requests.

Earlier this year, Wilding of Highbury Road, Oldbury was charged with 16 offences including blackmail, engaging in sexual communication with a child, threatening to share a photograph of a person in an intimate state and causing a girl to engage in sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to all offences at earlier hearing and on 1 September, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he was sentenced to 17 years and nine months in prison.

He has also been handed a sexual harm prevention order which restricts his behaviour.

DC Elle Willows, from our Public Protection Unit, said:

“Wilding's behaviour was predatory and he exploited young people for his own gratification.

“I hope that this sentence brings some closure for all of those affected by Wilding’s actions, and that they can move forward with their lives.”

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Liam Hobbs, 27, from Ely, Cardiff, has been jailed at Cardiff Crown Court for historical sexual assaults on a child.

His offending came to light when the victim bravely reported what had happened.

Hobbs was arrested and his mobile phone and other devices were seized for examination. Indecent images of children were found and he was further arrested.

Hobbs admitted three counts of possesion of indecent photographs but denied two counts of assault by penetration on a girl under 13.

A jury at Cardiff Crown Court found him guilty on July 1, 2026, following a trial and he was sentenced on September 2, 2026, to 14 months in prison for the indecent images offences.

For the sexual assault, he received a consecutive seven-year extended sentence comprising of 5 years imprisonment with an extended two years on licence.

In an impact statement, the victim said:

"I feel relieved that justice has been done, and I was believed in court. I want to now get on with my life".

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Emma Partridge, from South Wales Police, said:

“The victim was incredibly brave to share what happened to her and support the investigation.

“Her evidence at court was compelling and she should feel proud of herself.

“Hobb’s actions continue to have a huge impact on her life including panic attacks and difficulty sleeping.

“I hope the sentencing brings some comfort and allows her to regain confidence to move forward.”

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A man from Maesteg has been jailed after carrying out sexual offences against his victim.

55-year-old Stephen Jones, from Maesteg, was found guilty of one count of raping a woman over the age of 16 and one count of assaulting a woman 13 and over by penetration after a five-day trial at Cardiff Crown Court in July 2026.

During his sentence hearing on Monday September 7 at Cardiff Crown Court Jones was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. He was also given a 20-year restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order (Shopo). He will also be placed on the sex offenders register.

Detective constable Rebecca Evans said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and reporting offences like these not to be underestimated.

“We hope that this sentence will go some way in helping the victim rebuild her life and heal from the awful events that took place.”

“We want to encourage victims to come forward no matter the length of time since it happened, we will investigate and we will take it seriously”

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A Houghton Regis man has been jailed for a series of sexual offences involving a child.

Aaron Sarwar, 28, was in contact with the victim, a teenage girl, on Snapchat and he befriended her by falsely telling her he was an 18-year-old gay man who didn't have many friends.

telling her he was an 18-year-old gay man who didn't have many friends.

After grooming her for a number of weeks he met up with the girl and sexually abused her on several occasions.

Today (Friday) at Luton Crown Court, Sarwar, of Harrington Heights, Houghton Regis, was sentenced to a total of nine years after being convicted of a number of child sex offences, including five counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, and a number of indecent image offences.

Detective Sergeant Sabrina D’Amelio from Bedfordshire Police, who investigated, said:

“We will always concentrate on protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and the sentence Sarwar received reflects the appalling nature of his crimes. 

“Throughout this investigation we have been focused on ensuring this dangerous man would be prevented from further offending while supporting the wellbeing of the victim and her family.  

“I hope the sentence reassures the community that we will always pursue those who pose a risk to women and girls and ensure they are brought before the courts.

“Child sexual abuse is an appalling crime, and it is never too late to report it. By doing so you could help us put these dangerous perpetrators in prison, while potentially protecting further victims.” 

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A Leeds man has been jailed after admitting multiple sexual offences against children.

Jake Regan, 33, of Borrough Avenue, Leeds was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at Leeds Crown Court last week after admitting five online sexual offences and possession of Class A drugs. 

The 33-year-old was jailed on 2 September after pleading guilty to a count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and a count of causing a child to watch sexual activity.

He also admitted to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and a count of making an indecent photo of a child. All of the offending took place between 2023 and 2025.

Regan also admitted possession of Class A drugs after officers located methamphetamine during a search of his flat.

Aside from his court sentence Regan has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register and has been made subject of a restrictive sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Breach of an SHPO can lead to a sentence of five years in prison.

DI Victoria Thomas of the Leeds Safeguarding Unit, said:

“The commission of sexual offences against children online are extremely harmful. Regan thought he could incite sexual communication with girls online without reproach but due to the diligence of the officer in the case, the evidence presented at court was watertight and undeniable, leaving him no choice but to plead guilty to all offences. We welcome the sentence imposed on Regan by the court, which sends a clear message that predatory online sexual offending does not go under the radar and the consequences will be severe.”

Description

A man who subjected four women to years of sustained abuse, sexual violence, and coercive control has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Jacob Berry (18/10/1991), of Brierley Road East, Swinton, was convicted of seven counts of rape, four counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault by penetration, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this year.

The court heard how Berry abused, controlled, intimidated and sexually assaulted four women between 2018 and 2025.

The investigation began in April 2025 following a report from a concerned member of the public who witnessed a woman being assaulted by a man inside a vehicle.

When officers initially spoke with the victim, she was intimidated of Berry and reluctant to disclose the full extent of his offending. Evidence of some of Berry's behaviour later came to light after incidents were broadcast online.

The report prompted a wider investigation by Greater Manchester Police, leading to Berry's arrest. As enquiries progressed, detectives contacted three other women known to Berry, uncovering the full extent of his offending over a number of years.

Between 2018 and 2020, Berry subjected another victim to repeated acts of serious physical and sexual abuse. The court heard how he spat at her, strangled her, extinguished a cigarette on her face, and assaulted her on numerous occasions. During one attack, he broke her nose, requiring surgery.

The victim was also subjected to multiple rapes, which the court heard were particularly degrading and humiliating in nature.

In 2020, Berry raped a further victim after a party. The woman later learned from another individual that a drink Berry had given her may have been spiked. Despite attempting to resist him, Berry continued to force himself upon her.

Following the attack, Berry manipulated his way into the woman's life. During that time, he subjected her to a sustained campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour designed to isolate, intimidate and terrorise her.

The court heard how Berry spat at, bit and assaulted the woman. On one occasion he stood on her neck and forced her to remove her clothing because he believed she was concealing mobile phone SIM cards. The abuse culminated in a violent incident during which the woman's elderly grandmother attempted to intervene and was knocked into a wall.

Following this, Berry met another woman in 2022. She later disclosed to detectives the extent of the abuse she had suffered.

Berry displayed aggressive and controlling behaviour towards both the woman and her children. He took her money, damaged her property and made threats to distribute intimate and degrading images of her. He repeatedly accused her of possessing a secret mobile phone that did not exist and, on one occasion, threatened to burn down her home.

As part of his ongoing campaign of abuse and control, Berry also subjected the woman to repeated acts of serious sexual violence.

All four women provided comprehensive accounts to detectives and demonstrated considerable courage throughout the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, ultimately contributing to Berry's conviction.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Berry was made subject to lifetime restraining orders to protect his victims.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Nolan, of Greater Manchester Police, said:

"Berry systematically abused, controlled and terrorised these women, leaving lasting emotional and psychological trauma. It is difficult to comprehend the ordeal each of them endured at his hands.

"Throughout this investigation, the victims demonstrated immense courage and resilience in coming forward and speaking about their experiences. I hope today's sentence provides them and their loved ones with a measure of justice and closure.

"Their bravery has been instrumental in securing this conviction, and Berry is now rightfully behind bars, where he can no longer manipulate, control or abuse any more women.

"This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, requiring the meticulous examination of a substantial volume of evidence. Through the relentless efforts of numerous officers and staff, a dangerous sexual offender has now been brought to justice.

"I would urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, controlling or coercive behaviour to come forward and speak to police. Preventing violence against women and girls and domestic abuse remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, and we are committed to providing victims with the support, protection and assistance they need."

Description

A man from Bradford has been give an extended sentence of 12 and a half years after admitting to 36 child sex offences.   

Kasey Fitton aged 20, of Amundsen Avenue, was arrested in February 2025 on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with four children residing outside of West Yorkshire Police Force Area. It follows an investigation initially by West Mercia and Lancashire Police.  

An investigation was then launched by Bradford Safeguarding Unit who uncovered large scale sexual offending against children.   

In February 2026 Fitton was charged with 16 counts of sexual communication with a child and 20 counts of making/possession of indecent images of children.  

Five child victims have been identified.   

At Bradford Crown Court Fitton admitted to all 36 counts.   

Today (7 September) he was jailed for seven and a half years, plus a five year extension on licence, he will sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.  

A statement was read in court from the mother of one of the victims:   

“I am a mother and it is my job to protect her, but I feel like I failed her massively, I felt like I didn’t protect her from the evil of this world. I spent many days and nights wondering where I went so wrong or what more I could have done.   

“In reality, it wasn’t me that that didn’t protect her, it was you, a predator that prayed on her vulnerability and innocence at the age of 14. You stole her light for a long time, but it was me as her mother that was there every minute of every day picking up the pieces you left her in.”  

DC Dominika Marcinkowska of Bradford District Safeguarding Team said:  

“I would like to thank the victims in this case for their courage in speaking to police and reporting these crimes to us.   

“This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, and I hope today’s sentence can bring them some closure.”  

Senior Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Alan Weekes of Bradford District Police said:  

“Fitton is a very dangerous individual to children, and we welcome the courts sentencing today.  

“There are further investigations ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have been a victim to come forward to us.   

“We are keen to speak to anyone who interacted with the Snapchat accounts Kaseyfitton23, Kaseyfitton24 and MyCroft110.  

“We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and they are treated with sensitivity. We have specially trained officers who will guide you through the process and do everything we can to get justice.”   

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Former primary school teacher Joseph Haffenden has been jailed for sexually assaulting two children.

Haffenden, 32, pleaded guilty in July to six counts of sexual assault by touching and six counts of false imprisonment.

It followed a report on 12 February relating to two nine-year-old boys who had been sexually assaulted between January and February this year.

Both boys provided similar accounts of a what Haffenden labelled a ‘game’ whereby the victims were tickled under their clothing with his hands, a feather, and an electric toothbrush.

The offences were disclosed to adults who reported it to Sussex Police.

Haffenden, of High Street in Lindfield, was arrested and the victims and their families were supported by specialist officers.

Officers searched Haffenden’s property and found a number of items suggesting an interest in children and evidence which supported the victims’ accounts.

Haffenden was suspended from a teaching role and has subsequently been dismissed.

At Lewes Crown Court on Monday 20 July, Haffenden admitted the charges.

On Thursday (3 September), Haffenden was jailed for 51 months.

Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said:

“Haffenden’s disturbing crimes suggest a clear sexual interest in children that jar alarmingly with his position as a teacher.

“Thanks to the bravery of his victims for reporting his offending, we have been able to bring him to justice and ensure he can pose no further risk to children.”

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Convicted sex offender faces new child sex charges

Jake Robertson, a convicted sex offender already serving a prison sentence, is facing 10 further child sex allegations involving communication with children, indecent images and threats.

The 25-year-old, of Station Road, Aylsham, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court by video link from HMP Swinfen Hall in Staffordshire, where he is serving a seven-year, three-month extended sentence.

Prosecutors allege he told a girl from Wisbech he would share intimate photographs of her, with threats said to have been made between September and November 2024. He is also accused of making violent threats to the same youngster in 2023 and 2024, harassing a second girl from Wisbech, and grooming a child from Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex.

Robertson did not enter pleas to two charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child, two of harassment, and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He is further accused of making 49 category A, 12 category B and 144 category C indecent images of children.

The case was sent to Norwich Crown Court. A preliminary hearing is listed for 2 October.

These are allegations. Robertson has not yet entered pleas to the new charges and has not been convicted of them.

Description

A registered sex offender from Lowestoft has been jailed for two years for possessing indecent images of children and for breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Brandon Stephenson, (pictured below) aged 25 and of Milton Road East, had been convicted in March 2023 of making and possessing indecent images of children. He was handed a 24-month community order after pleading guilty to the charges and was served with a five-year SHPO.

Following this conviction, he was managed by the Public Protection Unit (PPU).

On 17 June 2025 officers made an unannounced visit to Stephenson’s his home address and found a mobile phone he had not declared to police.

The phone was reviewed by a PPU officer, who found evidence of sexualised chats via a gaming chat app. On Stephenson’s computer, officers found a folder of images and evidence that he had downloaded data-wiping software.

The phone, computer and a tablet were seized for further analysis and Stephenson was arrested and subsequently charged for possession of indecent images and for being in breach of his SHPO.

He was released under investigation pending further enquiries, during which time he failed to notify the PPU of a change in address within a relevant time period.

On Friday 4 September Stephenson appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to three counts of possessing indecent images of children, three counts of being in breach of a SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register, at a previous hearing.

He was sentenced to two years in jail and handed a revised SHPO for five years and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Public Protection Unit Sergeant Annmarie Mason said:

“Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are designed to protect the public, particularly children, from individuals who pose a risk.

“Brandon Stephenson was fully aware of the conditions he was required to follow and chose to ignore them.

“Suffolk Constabulary takes the management of sex offenders very seriously and we will take robust action against those who fail to comply with their court orders.”