DIPTON MAN SLAPPED WITH SEXUAL RISK ORDER DESPITE NO CONVICTION
A man slapped with a sexual risk order despite not being convicted of an offence has appeared back in court.The order was imposed in April last year despite Keith Knight not being convicted of any sexual offence, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
The 64-year-old was under investigation by officers at the time Durham Police applied for the order to limit his online activities.
John Garside, prosecuting, said in May last year police carried out a routine search of the defendant’s home where they recovered a mobile phone and a digital tablet.
He said: “Part of his risk order requires him to notify police within three days of acquiring them and he failed to do so.” Knight, of South Meadows, Dipton, Stanley, pleaded guilty to two breaches of his SRO between April 5 and May 23 last year.
Paul Donoghue, mitigating, said his client is still unaware whether he is facing any criminal charges as the investigation is continuing.
“He does not like being on it and thinks it is unfair.
He has been accused and not charged with any offence at this time.
Dealing with the two devices, one was to be a gift and the other was an old device that had been lying around for some time and hadn’t been found by the police previously.
Lois Neal, the chairwoman of the magistrates’ bench, sentenced Knight to a 12-month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days attached.
She said: “You have learned your lesson and you are going to have to do a lot more thinking over the next 12 months.
The order will continue until April 2028.”
