BENJAMIN MITCHELL FROM BURNLEY IN COURT OVER ILLEGAL USE OF ALIAS AND SEX OFFENDER OFFENSES
In April 2018, a serious legal case unfolded involving Benjamin Mitchell, a convicted sex offender from Burnley, who appeared in court accused of using a false identity to communicate online.The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of individuals on the sex offenders' register.
According to court reports, Mitchell, aged 27, had been operating an Instagram account under a pseudonym, specifically using the email address associated with the name Jason Harris.
This action was taken without informing the authorities, which is a breach of the legal obligations imposed on registered sex offenders.
The court heard that Mitchell’s deception was uncovered after he engaged in a conversation with a young woman on the social media platform, during which he shockingly claimed to have been sexually active with a minor.
This revelation prompted her to contact the police, leading to an official investigation into Mitchell’s online activities.
It was established that Mitchell was on the sex offenders’ register and was legally required to notify the police within three days if he used any other names or aliases.
When questioned by law enforcement officers, Mitchell admitted to creating and operating the Instagram account under the false name.
He explained that he had set up the account when he was just 14 years old and claimed that he had been hearing voices in his head, which compelled him to use the alias Jason Harris.
His mental health issues appeared to be a significant factor in his actions, as he described the voices as instructing him to continue using the false identity.
Mitchell now faces potential imprisonment after admitting to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register during the period from Sunday, November 19th, to Thursday, January 25th.
When asked to enter a plea, he responded with a guilty plea but stated that he could not remember using the false name, indicating possible memory issues or confusion.
He is currently residing on Belvedere Road in Burnley and was granted bail until March 8th, pending a comprehensive pre-sentence report that will consider all options, including the possibility of incarceration.
It is noteworthy that Mitchell has recently begun a sexual offenders’ rehabilitation program.
The probation service has clarified that his claim about the child involved in his online conversations was “nothing more than a sexual fantasy,” suggesting that there was no actual victim involved.
Previously, in April of the previous year, Mitchell had been convicted at Burnley Crown Court on multiple counts related to child exploitation.
He was found guilty of three counts of making indecent images of a child, possession of such images, and possession of extreme images.
As part of his sentence, he received a three-year community order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years.
Prosecutor Mrs.
Tracy Yates detailed that when the young woman on Instagram informed Mitchell of her intention to report his activities to the police, he responded by blocking her account to prevent further contact.
Following this, police investigations led to his arrest.
During questioning, Mitchell explained that he had been struggling with voices in his head and admitted that he had not been taking his prescribed medication, as he believed the voices had instructed him to stop.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring sex offenders and highlights the importance of strict compliance with legal obligations to prevent further offenses or misuse of online platforms.
