A CONVICTED PERVERT HAS BEEN JAILED AFTER DELETED WHATSAPP MESSAGES WERE DISCOVERED ON HIS PHONE.
Peter Smith is prohibited from possessing any device capable of internet access unless he first reports this to authorities, who then have the right to review his online records.However, despite this restriction, the 63-year-old returned to court after claiming he was unaware that WhatsApp functions as an internet-based messaging service.
In 2019, Smith, residing on Copley Avenue in South Shields, sent explicit images to someone he believed was a minor girl.
In reality, he was communicating with a decoy profile set up online.
He was subsequently given a three-year community order after admitting to attempting to arrange a child sex offence.
As part of his sentence, Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
The order also restricted his internet usage and barred him from deleting any messages.
In January of this year, a risk offender manager searched Smith’s residence, resulting in the seizure of his device.
Initially, an officer had installed monitoring software on Smith’s phone to oversee his digital activity.
Prosecutor Penny Hall explained: “The officer found that messages on WhatsApp had been deleted, leading to Smith’s arrest.
During questioning, he admitted to deleting those messages, which constituted a breach of his order, though he claimed he was unaware that WhatsApp required internet connectivity.” Authorities clarified that the messages in question were not connected to prior offences.
Smith pleaded guilty to breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court was informed that he had previously faced other violations.
Judge Gavin Doig sentenced him to nine months of imprisonment, stating, “It’s unfortunate, but I believe this is the end of the line for you.” In his defence, it was noted that Smith was distressed and frightened about the possibility of going to prison.
