POWYS SEX OFFENDER TRIED TO HIDE PHONE FROM POLICE
A POWYS resident described as a “high risk” sex offender will be sentenced next month, after admitting two offences at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week.Aaron Humphreys, 48, admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) he was made the subject of by Cardiff Crown Court in May 2022, as well as a second charge of failing to comply with the requirements of being on the sex offenders register.
Humphreys, of Picton Street, Llanidloes, was paid a routine visit by police in June, with officers discovering he had a mobile phone that they did not know about.
The defendant breached the SHPO because he had not disclosed details of the new device within three days of purchasing it.
Police also discovered that he did not complete his annual notification within the relevant timeframe, in contradiction to the terms of being a registered sex offender.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said the SHPO was put in place for five years and expires in 2027.
“During a routine visit in June, a Samsung Galaxy phone was checked, and it was found to be linked to a Google account and a Redmi phone,” she said.
“There were apps on it, as well as emails confirming a signing in and that this was linked to Google.
He was asked on multiple occasions if he had another mobile phone and he said no.
When confronted with the evidence, he went to the kitchen and handed over a plastic bag with a phone in it.
When asked why he hid it, he said, ‘There’s nothing illegal on it, but it’s more explicit’.
“It is not a serious, but it is not a minor breach.
He knew he had the phone and was using it.
He also knew he had to sign forms within 12 months and failed to do so.
He is a high-risk offender and I submit this needs a full pre-sentence report, including all options and a committal for sentence.” Rob Hanratty, acting for Humphreys, acknowledged that his client is a high-risk offender, saying: “But he only has two previous convictions.
There was no victim and for the offence in Cardiff he was given a community order.
He is in line to have a mental health assessment with probation.” Magistrates adjourned the case for a report and told Humphreys to return to Welshpool for sentencing on September 16.
He was granted unconditional bail to that date.
