A man who contacted women through online marketplace Vinted, calling them beautiful and asking their relationship status, has been jailed for logging on with a username he had not disclosed to police.
In 2020, 34-year-old Darrel Stephen Carter was served with a civil sanction known as a Sexual Risk Order.
This was sought and secured by Cumbria police who applied for legal powers to reduce the risk he posed to women and girls.
A court granted an indefinite SRO against Carter, who was banned from contacting girls aged under 18. Tough restrictions were also placed on his use of electronic devices. Any breaches constitute a crime.
Carter has received several prison sentences for failing to comply with his legal obligations. In 2023 he admitted unlawfully making contact with a 15-year-old girl, and was handed a 20-month term.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard today Carter was subject to strict notification requirements.
These require him to notify any online user names — or alias names he creates — to police within three days.
But between May 4 and May 7 this year, a detective constable making checks found a large volume of internet history attributed to Carter.
He was found to be using the Vinted site with a username he had failed to disclose to police.
On Vinted, users have an option to upload a profile image. “A very large number of (Vinted) profiles had been visited (by Carter),” said prosecutor Diane Jackson.
“All of the profiles had a female in the profile picture.”
Carter had made searches for bikinis, mini shorts and other items of female clothing.
“He has sent dozens of messages to female sellers,” said Mrs Jackson. “The majority have been ignored. He was telling them how beautiful they were, complimenting them and asking if they had boyfriends.”
Carter confirmed the sender’s profile was his and, in court, he admitted breaching notification requirements by failing to promptly disclose the username.
The court heard he was given a 27-month prison sentence in November 2024, for court order breach offending.
He had now been recalled to serve the balance of this custodial term, and was due for release in mid-February, 2027.
Defence lawyer Ant Wilson, mitigating, said Carter, latterly of Wadsworth Road, Carlisle, had been released from custody on licence in late December.
He was initially sent to an approved address in Liverpool, where he enjoyed living. “It was like a fresh start for him,” said Mr Wilson.
But since being returned to Carlisle earlier this year, Carter’s mental health had gone down hill.
“He has been staying in all the time. He didn’t want to bump into anyone who might have known about his convictions. It got him down,” said Mr Wilson.
“He started getting more and more withdrawn. He started thinking ‘I will just use the internet’. He has used the internet. That was his comfort blanket when alone.”
Magistrates imposed an immediate 34-week jail term. This will be served concurrently, alongside his prison recall period.
