A HARLOW man has been jailed for breaching is Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) thanks to work by one of our specialist teams.

The Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team (MOSOVO) manages and mitigates the risk posed by registered sex offenders when they’re living in the community.

This work includes carrying out proactive visits and checking internet enabled devices including mobile phones and tablets.

It was during one of these visits that they checked the mobile phone of Richard Blackburn.

The terms of Blackburn’s SHPO prohibited him from possessing any device capable of accessing the internet unless he notifies us within three days of buying it and he does not delete the internet use history, apps, or the usage and search activity within apps.

MOSOVO found the 59 year-old, of Cock Green, Harlow, he had deleted more than 60 web browser searches as well as a number of Facebook Messenger messages.

As a result he was charged with breaching his SHPO.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on 4 March he was jailed for a total of six months in prison for breaching the SHPO and breaching a previous suspended sentence.

The SHPO will also remain in place until 2032.

Katie Saville, who led the investigation, said: “This case highlights the importance of the work we do.

“Our proactive visits, searches and checks – which can be both pre-arranged and unannounced – mean we can monitor, manage, and mitigate the behaviour of registered sex offenders.

“Where someone has breached the terms of the requirements placed upon them, we take action and deal with them robustly.

“It’s just another way we’re able to protect the public.”