Tony Swift 39

Description

A County Durham sex offender has been caged for chatting to a child on WhatsApp and Snapchat. Tony Swift was also found to have online "aliases" on an unregistered Xbox when police arrested him.

In 2019, the 39-year-old was put on the sex offenders' register and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for offences of blackmail and inciting a child into sexual activity. As part of his order, Swift was banned from using any internet enabled device unless he notifies police within three days.

He is also prohibited from interacting with children, unless with prior consent from a parent or if it is unavoidable. But in February this year, Swift breached his orders when he began chatting to a teenager online. He'd also been using an Xbox which he had not registered with police.

On Friday, Swift, of Poplar Street, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Holme House, to be sentenced for two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and one count of failing to comply. He had pleaded guilty.

The court heard that police spoke to a child after concerns were raised they had been messaging a man online. Kathryn Wetherley, prosecuting, said: "Police spoke to them and they confirmed they had been talking to the defendant on Snapchat and WhatsApp." Swift knew the child was under the age of 16 throughout.

Ms Wetherley said that the child Swift had been messaging did not believe any of the chats between them were inappropriate. However, Swift had asked them to delete some messages, which they did.

Swift was arrested and was also found to be in possession of an Xbox which had not been registered with police. The court heard "a number of alias names" were being used.

When arrested, Swift admitted that he knew the child was underage but denied having any sexual chats with them. The court was told he had seven previous convictions for 15 offences.

Nicci Horton, defending, said the child in the case did not feel that any of the messages were inappropriate and that the Xbox had been purchased from a friend. She said some of the alias names were of the original owner and there was "no suggestion" the games console was being used for anything other than gaming.

Ms Horton said Swift has epilepsy and a tissue disorder. She told the court: "His time in custody has been challenging for his physical health as well as his mental health. He thought this communication [with the child] was helping.

"He thought he was doing a good thing. In interview he said, 'I am slow and sometimes take a while to click on why something might not be appropriate or correct'. He understands he is completely in the wrong."

Recorder Mark McKone KC jailed Swift for 26 months. A 10 year restraining order was also imposed.