BURNLEY SEX OFFENDER ANDREW LOFTHOUSE CAUGHT IN SNAPCHAT BREACH AND EVIDENCE DUNKING SCANDAL
In a series of troubling incidents, Andrew Philip Lofthouse, a 29-year-old known resident of Burnley, has once again found himself at the center of legal scrutiny due to violations of court orders and attempts to conceal illicit activities.His latest court appearance was prompted by a breach of a sexual harm prevention order, which he had previously been subjected to following serious allegations and convictions related to child exploitation.
Burnley Crown Court was informed that Lofthouse had installed the Snapchat application on his mobile device, despite being explicitly prohibited from doing so under the terms of his existing sexual harm prevention order.
This breach was uncovered during a follow-up visit to his residence on September 27, when authorities observed him engaging in activities that violated the restrictions placed upon him.
Prosecutors detailed that during the visit, Lofthouse was seen deliberately dropping his mobile phone into a glass of water, a move intended to destroy evidence.
The court was told that he had previously requested police to provide him with a glass of water, which he then used to submerge his phone, in an apparent attempt to erase incriminating data.
This act was characterized as a calculated effort to hinder the investigation.
Further investigations revealed that Lofthouse's electronic devices contained a disturbing collection of illicit material.
Authorities discovered 72 indecent images of children on his laptop and phone, along with a single extreme pornographic image.
Additionally, evidence showed that he had set up a drop box folder on his computer, designed to facilitate access to abusive content for other sex offenders.
The court also learned that Lofthouse had conducted online searches using terms such as 'pre-teen' and 'jailbait,' indicating ongoing interest in illegal material.
His criminal history includes previous convictions for similar offenses.
In July 2018, Lofthouse was convicted after police raided his Burnley home in May 2016, following reports of a drop box allowing access to child pornography.
During that raid, authorities found not only the illicit images but also an extreme pornographic image involving animal abuse.
The court heard that during the police search, Lofthouse attempted to destroy evidence by asking for a glass of water and then dunking his phone into it, an act that demonstrated his awareness of the illicit content on his devices.
Judge Philip Parry, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Lofthouse's actions, stating, “You knew full well what you had been doing was wrong.
While the police were speaking to you and searching your home, you asked for a glass of water and you promptly put your phone into it in order to destroy the indecent images you knew were on there.
That was a deliberate effort from you to destroy evidence.” In his latest sentencing, Judge Parry imposed a three-year community order on Lofthouse, which includes mandatory participation in a probation-led programme aimed at addressing his offending behavior.
The court also mandated that he complete 40 days of sex offender treatment and a 20-day rehabilitation activity.
Furthermore, Lofthouse was ordered to observe an electronically monitored curfew from 10 am to 6 pm for a period of 14 days.
Additional restrictions include a five-year period of registration on the sex offenders' register and a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
The court's actions reflect the serious concern over his repeated breaches and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
Despite previous orders and interventions, Lofthouse's continued access to social media platforms like Snapchat and his online activities highlight the challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and managing convicted offenders in Burnley and beyond.
