A registered sex offender has heard that he could receive another prison sentence for flouting the terms of a court order.
Christopher Topliss, now 35, was jailed for three years in 2017 for using online gaming networks to groom children.
Topliss entered into chat with children, helping them to win as he sought to earn their trust. An investigation by the National Crime Agency’s cyber crime unit showed Topliss had begun online relationships with girls aged under 16, and that in one case he had travelled to abuse a victim.
He was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court by a judge who concluded the offences had been meticulously planned by a predatory individual.
As part of his punishment, Topliss was made subject to the strict terms of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, aimed at controlling his online use and curbing his offending.
But when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today, Topliss pleaded guilty to three separate breaches of this order. He admitted using an internet enabled device with recording of history disabled; and also twice unlawfully using an online browser.
The breaches occurred during a period of time between February 21 and May 16 this year.
The case was adjourned after Topliss’s lawyer asked for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report which will provide the judge who sentences the defendant more information about him. The court heard he had not been in trouble since the offending for which he had been jailed more than six years ago.
Topliss, of Ennerdale Road, Cleator Moor, is due to receive his punishment from a Carlisle judge on November 6, and in the meantime was granted unconditional bail. He was told by Judge Michael Fanning that all sentencing options — including a prison sentence — would be available on that date.
The order remains in force.
