A CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER WHO DOWNLOADED TINDER ON HIS MOBILE PHONE WITHOUT TELLING THE AUTHORITIES HAS BEEN GIVEN A FINAL CHANCE.
Following a conviction in 2022 for possessing images of child abuse, Kieran Huntley is required to report all his communication devices to the police.During a scheduled meeting in March with his risk offender manager at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that he had deleted Tinder from his phone.
Police also discovered an unregistered iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy at his residence, which had been previously known but not within the three-day reporting deadline.
Additionally, a Monzo bank card was found during the search.
Huntley explained to officers that he believed only deleting browsing history was necessary, not deleting apps like Tinder.
The 28-year-old, from Ely Way in Jarrow, admitted to breaching a sexual harm prevention order and failing to follow notification obligations.
Previously, in June 2022, he received a ten-month sentence suspended for two years.
The court considered suspending the current sentence as well.
Judge Sarah Mallet warned Huntley that any future offenses would lead to imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of understanding his restrictions and reprimanding his lax attitude.
She sentenced him to 12 months suspended for 21 months, with additional requirements including 40 days of rehabilitation and 140 hours of unpaid work.
Defense attorney Fiona Lamb stated Huntley had been cooperating with probation and had no prior convictions before the initial offenses.
She highlighted his employment status, stable accommodation, and relationship as positive points.
Huntley will be on the sex offender register for ten years.
