ATUL PAREKH, PRESTON SEX OFFENDER, LANDING IN COURT OVER SMART TV BREACHES
In December 2019, a serious legal case unfolded involving Atul Kumar Sombhai Parekh, a resident of Burrington Close, Fulwood, Preston.Parekh, who had previously been convicted of possessing indecent images of children, found himself back in the spotlight after breaching the strict conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Authorities responded to reports at Parekh's Preston home, where they discovered that he was using a Smart TV capable of internet connectivity.
This device was central to the breach allegations, as the court had explicitly restricted his access to online content, especially related to children.
The 53-year-old, who required assistance from a Gujarati interpreter during proceedings, was charged with three counts of violating the court-mandated restrictions.
It was revealed that the SHPO was imposed on Parekh in June, shortly after his conviction.
The order aimed to limit his access to the internet and prevent any contact or content involving minors.
However, between June 15 and August 22, Parekh allegedly failed to inform the police about the internet-enabled device in his possession.
Investigations showed that his Smart TV had its private browsing mode activated, which automatically deletes browsing history, making it difficult to monitor his online activity.
Furthermore, during the same period, Parekh did not make his Samsung mobile phone available for police inspection, despite being required to do so under the terms of his SHPO.
These actions raised serious concerns about his compliance with the court's restrictions and the effectiveness of the supervision measures in place.
During the court proceedings, Parekh admitted to the breaches but claimed he was unaware that his television was web-enabled.
The presiding judge, Simon Medland QC, sitting at Preston Crown Court, advised Parekh to consult with his solicitor in the New Year to clarify the basis of his plea.
In the meantime, he was granted bail and ordered to prepare a pre-sentence report.
He is scheduled to return to court on February 7 for sentencing, where the full extent of the breach and its implications will be addressed.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring and enforcement of restrictions placed on convicted sex offenders, especially regarding their access to the internet and digital devices in Preston.
