CONVICTED CHILD SEX OFFENDER BREACHED THE TERMS OF A SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER
A convicted child sex offender has been found in breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order after engaging with three young girls, a magistrate court has heard.The case was presented at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, where it was revealed that Benjamin Graham, 30, of Ryden Avenue, Leyland, was located by police at a woman’s house who was caring for a two-week-old infant.
Authorities later established that Graham had visited the home of the woman’s sister on two separate occasions and was present when two young girls were there.
The sister reported she was unaware that Graham was subject to any restrictions or listed on the Sexual Offenders Register.
The court detailed that the Sexual Harm Prevention Order had been issued in May 2017, following Graham’s previous convictions for having sexual contact with a girl under 16 and for creating indecent images of children.
At that time, he was given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years and a decade-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Prosecutor Pam Ward stated that police responded to an emergency call from a distressed woman at a property in Colne.
Upon arrival, she answered the door and claimed she had called by mistake, insisting no incident had taken place and that she was alone.
Despite her statements, officers entered and found Graham on a bed, packing clothes into a holdall.
He explained to police that an argument had occurred and that he was trying to arrange a pickup to get back to Leyland.
A check confirmed his status under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
It was also noted that Graham did not disclose his exact location to authorities and failed to mention that a female child was present at the address.
Furthermore, he had visited the sister’s residence twice while her children were there.
She admitted she had let him in without knowing about his past convictions or restrictions.
Graham pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, he must pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
The court emphasized that the initial Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains in effect.
