ANDREW HAIRE JAILED IN WATERLOOVILLE FOR BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER

A convicted sex offender, Andrew Haire, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Haire, 42, of Stakes Road in Waterlooville, was given a 10-year SHPO on 26 November 2020 following his conviction for producing indecent images of children while residing on the Isle of Wight. For this offense, he also received a 20-month jail sentence.

The SHPO imposed several restrictions on Haire, including a requirement that he notify a police officer from his local public protection unit before using any device capable of accessing the internet. The conditions further stipulated that such devices must be able to store and display internet browsing history unless they had prior approval from police if unable to do so.

After his release from prison, Haire was monitored via an electronic tag, which tracked his movements and suggested he had been visiting libraries across Hampshire. Police investigations revealed that between 31 August and 12 October, Haire had accessed the internet multiple times using a library card. On 12 October, officers visited his residence and arrested him, during which they found a library card in his name along with writings describing his fantasies of child abuse.

During police interviews, Haire admitted that he had used public library computers in Portsmouth, Havant, and Waterlooville with the specific purpose of viewing indecent images of children. He was charged with breaching his SHPO and pleaded guilty when he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 13 October.

Today, at Portsmouth Crown Court on 12 November, Haire was sentenced to 30 months in prison. PC Pamela Fisher from the Eastern Offender Management Team commented, “Andrew Haire is a particularly dangerous individual who has clearly shown no sign of willingness to comply with the conditions imposed on him by the courts.”

Fisher added, “Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are put in place to protect the public, and ensure that individuals do not re-offend. Where they choose to disregard them, they are rightly punished and I am pleased that Haire is now back behind bars.”

She explained that despite Haire’s admissions during police questioning, he continued to attempt accessing computers at public libraries away from his home. Officers recovered evidence from his bedroom and warned the public that anyone observing suspicious behavior at such facilities should report it to police.

Fisher emphasized the importance of resource investment in public protection and sex offender management, stating, “It’s a duty we take very seriously.” She also noted that officers frequently conduct unannounced visits and intrusive interviews to understand offenders’ routines, interests, and behaviors to maintain public safety.