DANIEL ROGERS FROM KNOWLE RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER IN BRISTOL

In February 2021, a man from Knowle named Daniel Rogers faced legal consequences after breaching the conditions of his previous sentence related to child abuse images. Rogers, who resides on Axbridge Road in Knowle, had been convicted in 2018 for both creating and distributing inappropriate images involving minors. As part of his punishment, he was subjected to a community order and was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), a legal measure intended to prevent him from reoffending by imposing restrictions on his internet usage.

Despite these restrictions, Rogers was found to have violated the terms of his SHPO. The breach involved him installing peer-to-peer messaging software, specifically Kik messenger, on his iPhone. Court proceedings at Bristol Crown Court revealed that Rogers had initially installed the app but later deleted it, an act that constituted a breach of the order. The court heard that Rogers had deliberately installed the Kik software and then removed it, which was considered a violation of the conditions set to prevent further offending.

At the hearing, Rogers, aged 23, pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his SHPO. Judge Martin Picton sentenced him to 18 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning Rogers would not serve time immediately unless he committed another offence during this period. The judge emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “It will not happen again. I expect police to be visiting you on a regular basis to check. If you breach it, you will go into custody for 18 months as well as the sentence for any other offence.”

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, Rogers was ordered to participate in a sex offender rehabilitation program, which would involve up to 35 days of structured therapy. He was also mandated to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the iPhone involved in the breach, removing the device from Rogers’ possession.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny, who presented the case via video link, confirmed that Rogers had installed the Kik peer-to-peer messaging app on his iPhone and subsequently deleted it, which was deemed a breach of the court’s order. It was noted that Rogers had completed a sex offender program but had not sought help from his general practitioner or mental health services until after the offending behavior occurred.

During the proceedings, Rogers’ legal representative, Mr Oarith, acknowledged his client’s remorse, stating, “He acknowledges the shame and guilt from this offending. He struggles with his mental health on a day-to-day basis. He is a man who needs intervention and that intervention would be best suited in the community rather than in custody.” The court’s decision reflected a recognition of Rogers’ mental health struggles and the importance of community-based intervention over immediate incarceration, provided he complies with the conditions set forth.