HEATON SEX OFFENDER ANTHONY GRAY VIOLATES COURT ORDER BY TAKING PHOTO OF YOUNG CHILD IN HEATON

In March 2021, a serious breach of a court-mandated order occurred involving Anthony Gray, a known sex offender from Heaton. Gray was previously subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2014, following a conviction that resulted in a 12-month imprisonment for possessing indecent images of children. The court's order imposed strict conditions on Gray, including the requirement to register all internet-enabled devices with the police and to obtain written permission from a parent or guardian before taking photographs of anyone under the age of 16.

Despite these legal restrictions, Gray, aged 42 and residing on Sixth Avenue in Heaton, was found to have violated the terms of his SHPO in October of the previous year. The breach involved him taking a photograph of a young child, who was known to him and his family, using his iPhone. It is important to note that the image itself did not contain any inappropriate content; however, the critical issue was that Gray had failed to secure the necessary written consent from the child's parent or guardian before capturing the photograph.

Furthermore, Gray did not comply with the registration requirements for his electronic devices. The court was informed that he had not registered his iPhone 6 or his laptop with the police, which was a direct violation of the conditions set out in his SHPO. During the proceedings at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Gray pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. As a result, he was sentenced to a three-year community order.

The court heard that Gray's criminal history includes 16 offences, notably his 2014 conviction for possessing indecent images of children, which led to his initial jail term. The magistrates emphasized that the SHPO was in place for seven years to prevent further offenses and protect the community.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy detailed the events, stating that Gray had not sought or obtained written permission from the child's mother before taking the photograph. When questioned by police, the mother confirmed she had not authorized Gray to take the picture. In December of the same year, Gray further failed to register his iPhone with the police and acquired a laptop, which he used to browse the internet without registering it as required.

On February 4, a police officer visited Gray’s residence to conduct a review. During this visit, Gray handed over his iPhone, claiming it was registered with the police. However, upon inspection, officers discovered that the device was not registered, prompting a search of Gray’s home. During this search, a laptop was found hidden in his bedroom. The police investigation revealed that Gray had not been downloading anything suspicious or illegal on either device, but the failure to adhere to registration and permission protocols constituted a breach of his court order.

As part of his community order, Gray is required to attend a sexual offending behavior program. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95. The case highlights ongoing concerns about compliance among sex offenders and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders designed to safeguard vulnerable individuals.