MOIRA MAN MATTHEW BROWNE SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN CO DOWN FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND SOPO BREACHES

In a significant legal case that has drawn considerable attention in Co Down, Matthew Browne, a 31-year-old resident of Halfpenny Gate Road, Moira, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison following his conviction for serious breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and related offences involving a minor.

Judge Richard Greene QC delivered the sentence after Browne pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to multiple charges, including engaging in sexual communications with a teenage girl, two counts of breaching the SOPO, and an attempted breach of the same order. The court heard that Browne’s actions were egregious and a clear violation of the restrictions imposed on him.

To provide context, Browne had previously been convicted in July 2017 at Craigavon Crown Court on 19 separate charges related to the possession and creation of indecent images of children. As a result, he was subjected to a seven-year SOPO that explicitly prohibited him from having contact with children under 16 and from using the internet without restrictions.

The case against Browne intensified when, in October 2020, police reviewed CCTV footage showing a girl entering a red car registered to him in Lisburn, Co Antrim. This evidence led to his arrest at his Moira residence, where authorities seized multiple electronic devices for forensic analysis. During police custody and a subsequent medical assessment, Browne reportedly admitted to a care practitioner that he “can’t stop offending,” highlighting his ongoing issues with offending behavior.

The teenage girl involved in the case later provided a statement to police, revealing that she had been in contact with Browne, who used the alias ‘Jack’ on Snapchat. She recounted that Browne had persuaded her to get into his car, claiming he wanted to “do stuff,” which she described as “disgusting” and “paedo.” The girl, only 13 years old at the time, emphasized that Browne did not physically touch her but expressed her disgust at his conduct.

Further investigation into Browne’s phone revealed that he had installed and uninstalled Snapchat three times, breaching the terms of his SOPO. The court also learned that Browne’s criminal record included four additional convictions, notably for indecent assault on a male and three counts of sexual activity with a male under 16, underscoring a pattern of concerning behavior.

Defense representatives acknowledged Browne’s guilty pleas, stating that he had accepted and recognized his offending. They also highlighted reports indicating that Browne had expressed remorse, shame, and regret for his actions. However, Judge Greene emphasized the seriousness of the breaches, noting that the purpose of the SOPO was to prevent Browne from engaging with young children and communicating with them. The judge pointed out that Browne’s repeated attempts to contact the girl over a short period demonstrated a blatant disregard for the restrictions and a serious aggravating factor.

In addition to the 18-month custodial sentence, Browne was ordered to serve a similar period on supervised licence upon his release. The court also extended the SOPO for an additional seven years, reinforcing the ongoing restrictions designed to protect vulnerable minors from his influence and contact.