PAUL WADDINGTON FROM ACCRINGTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER DELETING INTERNET HISTORY TO HIDE ILLEGAL IMAGES
In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about online safety and the enforcement of strict legal orders, Paul Waddington, a 56-year-old resident of Accrington, narrowly avoided imprisonment for a second time after breaching a court-imposed restriction.Waddington had previously been convicted of possessing indecent images of children and extreme pornography, which led to a suspended prison sentence and the imposition of a seven-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Under the terms of this order, Waddington was explicitly prohibited from deleting his internet browsing history, a measure designed to prevent the concealment of illegal content.
However, during a routine visit by law enforcement officers in August of this year, Waddington admitted to deleting his browsing history on his mobile phone.
He claimed that he had simply 'forgotten' about the restrictions placed upon him, a defense that did little to mitigate the breach.
Following the admission, officers examined Waddington’s phone.
Despite the deletion, no illegal images or content were discovered during the investigation.
Nevertheless, Waddington pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his SHPO, acknowledging that his actions violated the court’s orders.
In response to his breach, the court imposed a series of penalties.
Waddington was ordered to complete a 48-hour residence requirement, fined £150, and instructed to pay £100 in legal costs.
The court also issued a warning that failure to pay these costs could result in a seven-day jail sentence.
Judge Beverley Lunt, who presided over the case, took into account Waddington’s previous compliance with court orders and decided not to activate his earlier suspended sentence.
However, she issued a stern warning that any future violations could lead to immediate imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of adhering to court restrictions in cases involving serious sexual harm prevention measures.
