Man who flouted a court order by downloading and then deleting the Snapchat app on a phone more than 100 times has been sentenced by a judge.
Thomas David Wilkinson, of North View, Aspatria, was made subject to a five-year sexual risk order (SRO) by magistrates in June, 2021. SROs are made against people who have not been convicted of an offence nor cautioned, but are deemed to pose a risk of harm.
Under the terms of the SRO, Wilkinson was banned from using any internet-capable device which had not been brought to the attention of police within three days; and prohibited from having any electronic items which didn’t have the capacity to display or retain internet history.
In December, 2021, Wilkinson was cautioned for flouting the order. But when an offender manager paid him a surprise visit many months later and was presented with a phone it emerged he had breached the order between late December, 2021, and November, 2022.
Carlisle Crown Court heard he did so by installing, using and then removing two apps — Snapchat 105 times and Instagram on 13 occasions — with the full knowledge it wasn’t allowed.
He admitted breaching the SRO and today had a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
Wilkinson, who must also complete rehabilitation, unpaid work and a night-time curfew, was told by Recorder Peter Hordan he had “repeatedly demonstrated an absence of transparency”. “The risk of you continuing to offend is significant because you have continued to offend despite a court order, and you continued to hide it,” said the judge.
Wilkinson remains subject to both the SRO and sex offender notification requirements.
