BARROW SEX OFFENDER GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR SHPO BREACHES
A REGISTERED sex offender breached the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) because he was ‘bored and lonely’, a court heard.Timothy Graham was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on December 19 after previously admitting eight SHPO breaches, one count of failing to comply with notification requirements and possession of cannabis.
The court heard the 45-year-old was jailed for sex offences in July 2013 where he was also made the subject of a lifelong SHPO.
Prosecutor Geoff Lowe stated that Graham’s offender manager DC Chadwick attended his home in Ship Street, Barrow, on September 8 this year.
Graham handed over a previously declared mobile phone and laptop to the officer before admitting he had kept another Samsung Galaxy device capable of internet access in his bedroom for the last three or four years.
After the arrest, a search of his property uncovered a small amount of cannabis, a further Alcatel mobile phone, and an internet router from behind the television, despite Graham denying having a Wi-Fi connection.
Devices analyzed contained credentials for three Facebook accounts, seven Instagram accounts, as well as Tumblr and Snapchat.
There were albums with images of females in school uniforms, although it was not proven they were children.
Secret conversations were also found.
Defense lawyer Claire Larton explained Graham’s actions were driven by boredom, loneliness, and unemployment, which led to alcohol misuse.
He had obtained work as a chef, but both jobs ended because of police interference.
Graham expressed a desire to seek help and had been sober in custody for the past 12 weeks.
His Honor Judge Richard Gioserano opted for a suspended two-year sentence, emphasizing the risks Graham posed due to his online activities and sexual interests in children.
The judge ordered Graham to complete 10 days of rehabilitation, 150 hours of unpaid work, 120 days of alcohol monitoring, and the Better Chances Program.
The court also confiscated his mobile phones and router.
The judge noted that Graham’s online behavior indicated a sexual interest in children, which is a serious concern, and he hoped the suspended sentence would aid in long-term protection.
