MAN WHO HAD INDECENT IMAGES THEN BREACHED HIS ORDER
A man from Rhuddlan has been sentenced to prison after violating the terms of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) on three separate occasions.Simon Jones, aged 32 and residing on Howell Avenue, received a one-year custodial sentence at Mold Crown Court earlier today (August 28), after admitting to all three breaches.
Jones had been subject to a 10-year SHPO imposed in January 2022 due to his possession of indecent images of children.
Prosecutor Laura Knightly explained that Jones breached this order by downloading the Snapchat app which features self-deleting messages deleting WhatsApp messages, and activating a deletion mode on WhatsApp.
Ms Knightly reported that during a routine police visit to Jones’ home on June 11, 2024, an officer observed contact between Jones and two women but could not find any message history.
Upon questioning, Jones admitted he had intentionally deleted the chats to prevent officers from discovering he had been communicating with a woman who had a child.
Jones consistently expressed that he felt police were overstepping boundaries and intruding into his personal life.
Representing Jones, who has prior convictions for four offenses, legal representative Amy Edwards stated he was not attempting to conceal his actions or communications and is embarrassed by his behaviour.
She highlighted that Jones’ mental health is severely affected, suffering from significant anxiety and depression.
Ms Edwards added that he is a father, employed full-time as a machine operator, and demonstrates a strong work ethic, with potential for rehabilitation.
The judge, Nicola Jones, emphasised that Jones’ breaches were both serious and repeated.
She told him: “You know full well the terms of the order.
You are an intelligent and articulate man.
“You need to learn that your online life is now going to be entirely transparent.”
