KEITH SKILLEN FROM WHITEHAVEN SENT BACK TO JAIL FOR INTERNET RESTRICTION BREACHES
In August 2023, a high-risk sex offender from Whitehaven, Keith Skillen, was once again remanded into custody after he deliberately violated a court-imposed restriction on his internet usage.This marked his tenth breach of such an order, highlighting a persistent pattern of non-compliance despite previous legal interventions.
Skillen, aged 61, had previously served time in prison for breaching a sexual harm prevention order, which was specifically designed to restrict his online activities due to his history of child sex offences.
His latest violation was identified after police received an alert indicating that he was engaging in online activity that was explicitly prohibited under the terms of his court order.
Originally, Skillen was subjected to a stringent ten-year court order following his conviction for online child sex offences, which included possession and distribution of abusive images.
The court's decision was aimed at preventing him from accessing or sharing illegal material on the internet, a measure deemed necessary given his criminal background.
Prosecutor Rob Dudley informed Carlisle Crown Court that Skillen admitted to four new counts of breaching the court order.
The police investigation was initiated on June 11 after an alert about Skillen’s online activity.
During their visit to his residence, officers discovered that he had downloaded software related to social media platforms but had subsequently deleted these applications.
Furthermore, police noted that Skillen had used a “secret” internet browsing mode, which he activated to hide his search history, thereby attempting to evade detection.
Mr.
Dudley emphasized that Skillen had a history of similar offences, including a previous 16-month jail sentence for multiple breaches of his order.
His prior convictions date back to 2015, and he has been sentenced multiple times for offences related to indecent images and breaches of court orders.
Notably, in 2018, he received a 24-month sentence for possession and distribution of indecent images, and in 2020, he was sentenced to 16 months for breaching his sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Nicholas Barker addressed Skillen directly, stating, “Since 2015, you have amassed a number of previous convictions, the last two sets of which have resulted in custodial sentences.
You received a sentence of 24 months in 2018 for the distribution and possession of indecent images; and in 2020, you received 16 months for breach of your sexual harm prevention order.” The judge further noted that despite the clarity of the court’s instructions, Skillen continued to breach the restrictions, including being caught registering and accessing social media file-sharing applications in June of this year.
Recognizing the seriousness of his repeated violations and the potential risk he poses, the court also considered the impact of a brain injury that Skillen has suffered, which may influence his behaviour.
Nevertheless, the court decided to impose a custodial sentence, and Skillen was sentenced to an additional 16 months in prison.
In a related case from December 2018, Skillen, then aged 56 and residing at Broom Bank, Whitehaven, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to multiple charges involving indecent images of children.
This conviction followed an investigation by Cumbria Police’s digital media unit, which uncovered indecent images on his devices dating from June 2015 to October 2017, just days before his arrest on October 31 of that year.
During that investigation, police seized his mobile phone and laptop, discovering the presence of indecent images of children.
Skillen admitted to three counts of making indecent images, one count of possessing indecent images, and three counts of distributing such images.
As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order and required to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Earlier, in November 2018, Skillen was warned that he could face imprisonment for sharing child abuse images.
During a court hearing at Carlisle Crown Court, he admitted to distributing two category A images—considered the most serious—along with additional images in categories B and C, with the offences occurring between October 17 and 28 of the previous year.
The court adjourned the case for an updated medical report, citing his significant health issues following a brain aneurysm.
He was granted bail and scheduled to face sentencing on December 14, with the judge emphasizing that individuals involved in distributing child abuse images typically face prison sentences.
Throughout these proceedings, Skillen’s repeated violations and the nature of his offences underscore the ongoing concerns about his risk to the community.
Authorities remain vigilant, and his case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in managing high-risk sex offenders, especially those with underlying health issues that may influence their behaviour.
