COLIN BARKER FROM TAMWORTH BUSTED FOR INTERNET BREACH IN COURT SCANDAL

In a troubling development, Colin Barker, a known offender from Tamworth, found himself back in court after being accused of violating a court-imposed restriction on his internet usage. Barker, who had previously faced serious charges related to child exploitation, was seen before Burton Magistrates' Court to answer allegations of breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Back in May 2011, Barker, a resident of Browning Close in Tamworth, had pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to 16 counts of creating indecent images of children, along with an additional charge of possessing a collection of such images. During that hearing, Judge John Wait condemned Barker’s actions, stating that he had played an active role in abusing children by viewing images depicting their torture and suffering. As a result, Barker was sentenced to a three-year community order, with the added stipulation that he register as a sex offender. Furthermore, he was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order designed to restrict his access to certain online content and activities.

However, the situation took a new turn when Barker appeared before Burton Magistrates' Court this week, accused of breaching the very order that was meant to monitor and limit his internet activity. The breach was alleged to have occurred between March 31, 2012, and April 25, 2012. According to the prosecution, solicitor Emma Thompson, Barker, aged 45, had used a Nintendo Wii gaming console to access the internet during this period, despite the restrictions placed upon him.

Thompson explained that the court order required Barker’s console to have an internet history function enabled, along with parental controls, so that his online activity could be monitored. However, the police investigation revealed that Barker’s console lacked these features, raising suspicions of non-compliance. The authorities were alerted by a member of the public, leading to Barker’s arrest at his home address on Wednesday, April 25.

During police interviews, Barker was accompanied by a solicitor but chose to offer no comment regarding the allegations. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to the breach charge in court. In mitigation, Barker’s solicitor, Vaughn Whistance, argued that Barker should have obtained permission from the chief inspector of Derbyshire Police to use the console’s internet functions. Whistance described the breach as minor, emphasizing that the console was a gift intended to help Barker pass the time while largely confined to his home environment.

As the case was adjourned, Barker was granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to return to Burton Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 13. This adjournment allows the Probation Service sufficient time to prepare a comprehensive report assessing all available options for his rehabilitation and supervision. The court proceedings continue as authorities seek to ensure that Barker’s compliance with the restrictions is thoroughly monitored and enforced.