DARLINGTON SEX OFFENDER CALLUM HEWITT BUSTED FOR SNAPCHAT CONTACT WITH CHILDREN IN MAJOR POLICE OPERATION
In a significant development in ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, Callum Hewitt, also known by aliases including Christopher Bartley, has been re-incarcerated following his latest breach of court-imposed restrictions.Hewitt, a convicted sex offender from Darlington, was previously sentenced to five years in prison in 2006 after being found guilty of sexual assaulting a younger girl and boy when he was just 15 years old.
Following his release, Hewitt was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, a legal measure designed to restrict his contact with minors and prevent further offending.
Despite these restrictions, Hewitt has repeatedly violated the order, raising serious concerns about his compliance and the safety of children in the community.
The recent incident came to light in February when Hewitt was arrested on an unrelated matter.
During the police investigation, officers examined his mobile phone, which revealed a critical breach of his court order.
The phone had Snapchat installed—a social media platform known for its disappearing messages—an act that itself was a violation of the court's restrictions.
Further scrutiny of Hewitt’s device uncovered evidence that he had been communicating with a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl.
Such interactions were explicitly prohibited under his court order unless the minors' parents had given explicit consent and were aware of his previous criminal history.
The discovery of these communications prompted immediate legal action.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Hewitt, now aged 29, was sentenced to an additional two years in prison.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh detailed that the breach was identified on February 11, when the girl involved reported ongoing contact with Hewitt, who she knew as “Chrissy.” She stated that she had been in communication with him for several months but denied any sexual images or meetings.
She did, however, describe Hewitt as often being complimentary and calling her beautiful.
The 13-year-old boy also provided testimony, revealing that Hewitt’s Snapchat username was “lizard man,” but he denied ever meeting him in person.
The court heard that Hewitt’s history of breaches includes previous violations of the sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration requirements.
These violations involved establishing relationships with women who had children, some of whom he met through online dating platforms such as Plenty of Fish, often under different aliases.
Hewitt pleaded guilty to three breaches of the sexual harm prevention order, specifically related to his contact with the minors and his use of Snapchat.
He is currently residing on Barmpton Lane, Darlington, County Durham.
His sentence includes a two-year prison term, and he remains under the sexual harm prevention order until 2025.
Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect potential victims and uphold community safety.
