JOHN CARR'S BLACKPOOL INTERNET INFRACTION: SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT VIOLATING CONDITIONS
In March 2013, authorities uncovered a troubling breach involving John Carr, a convicted sex offender residing in Blackpool, who was found to have illegal internet access at his residence on Westmorland Avenue.Carr, aged 53, had previously served two prison sentences for possessing indecent photographs of children, a criminal history that cast a long shadow over his current actions.
Despite his past convictions, Carr maintained that he regularly used the internet from his home.
This claim was scrutinized when police officers visited his property on March 9 and discovered a computer connected to the internet, raising serious concerns given his legal restrictions.
John Carr had pleaded guilty to failing to adhere to the conditions of a Sex Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
The court proceedings revealed that Carr was under a strict order that prohibited him from using the internet except in designated public places such as internet cafes, libraries, or at his place of employment.
The order was a direct response to his previous offenses, which included being jailed in 2003 for possessing indecent images of children and again in 2007 for similar crimes.
Following his 2007 conviction, Carr was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for ten years and was subject to an indefinite SOPO.
During the hearing, Carr’s legal representative, Trevor Colebourne, argued that his client had misunderstood the terms of the SOPO.
Colebourne explained that Carr had only set up an internet account for email purposes and had not intended to violate the restrictions.
The defense emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest Carr had re-offended or used the internet for any illicit activities since the previous convictions.
At the time of the police visit, Carr was bailed to await further pre-sentence reports.
The magistrates considered all options, including the possibility of custody, as they reviewed the case.
The situation underscored ongoing concerns about the monitoring and compliance of convicted sex offenders, especially those with restrictions on internet use, in the community of Blackpool.
