A registered sex offender who breached a court order by using a mobile phone set to incognito mode has been given another immediate prison sentence.
Benjamin James Kennedy, now 34, was initially convicted in 2021 of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and causing a youngster to watch a sexual act.
Kennedy received a community order but was brought back to court the following year for downloading indecent images of children.
An eight-month prison sentence was suspended for two years.
But in February, 2025, Kennedy appeared at Carlisle Crown Court where it emerged he had returned to the internet to look for child abuse images.
A judge branded Kennedy a persistent sexual offender as he imposed an immediate 15-month jail term.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court was told today (thurs) that following his release from custody on licence, Kennedy committed a new offence.
Between January 27 and January 30 this year, Kennedy used the private incognito mode on a mobile phone.
It meant details of his internet use could not be retained.
In court, Kennedy admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order which had been put in place in February 2025. The order places a legal obligation on him to comply with a number of tough conditions relating to online use.
Defence solicitor Katie Scattergood understood Kennedy, of Maryport Road, Dearham, had already been recalled to prison to serve the remainder of his February 2025 sentence.
Miss Scattergood suggested there was no associated mischief with Kennedy’s latest crime.
He had been seeking, she said, to hide from police the embarrassment that he had been watching legal adult pornography.
Deputy district judge Matthew Wallace imposed an immediate 12-month prison sentence for the breach.
