Blackburn sex offender caught with secret Snapchat account gets suspended sentence

A sex offender named Stephen Bateson, aged 37 and residing on Lyndhurst Avenue in Blackburn, failed to register a Snapchat account with police as required under a sexual harm prevention order. This was the second breach of the order he committed. Bateson pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was sentenced to 42 weeks in custody, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation, perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £85 in costs along with a £156 victim surcharge. During the hearing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court, District Judge Alexandra Preston emphasized that Bateson should understand why he must not use Snapchat if he intends to avoid offending again, criticizing him for continuing to make criminal decisions despite efforts with probation services. The court noted police investigation into Bateson concerning other matters, which were not proceeded with, and discovered his Snapchat account through his mobile phone, which had not been registered with police. Bateson's mitigation argued that social isolation and past bullying had affected his ability to develop relationships, suggesting community orders might be more suitable than imprisonment. The judge expressed that if Bateson breaches any part of the order again, he would face prison.