CARL FORD FROM DIDCOT JAILED IN OXFORD FOR BREACHING COURT ORDER AND ILLEGAL INTERNET USE

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about the monitoring and enforcement of court orders related to sexual offences, Carl Ford, a 29-year-old man from Didcot, was sentenced to prison after repeatedly breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The incident took place in Oxford, where Ford’s actions demonstrated a disregard for the restrictions imposed by the court, despite previous warnings and a relatively lenient sentence earlier this year.

Ford’s legal troubles began in December of the previous year when he was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court on 17 charges, including nighttime prowling and secretly filming women through their windows. As part of his sentence, he was issued a sexual harm prevention order designed to restrict his internet activity and prevent further offending. However, just a few months later, in March, Ford was found to have violated this order by failing to register certain electronic devices, including a PlayStation console, a laptop, and a memory card, with the police. For this breach, an Oxford judge sentenced him to a mere 14 days’ imprisonment, a relatively light penalty considering the severity of his previous convictions.

Fast forward to the current case, where Ford appeared before the same judge, Judge Michael Gledhill QC, in Oxford. Prosecutor Alice Aubrey-Fletcher outlined that Ford had once again violated the terms of his court order. Specifically, he had deleted a dating application called Badoo from his phone, which was a direct breach of the restrictions placed upon him. Additionally, it was revealed that Ford had used his flatmate’s iPad to watch pornography, an activity that was also scrutinized during the investigation.

The police investigation was initiated after a visit from Thames Valley Police’s public protection department to Ford’s flat on May 25. Although Ford was not present at the time, his flatmate informed him of the police visit. During the inspection, authorities examined Ford’s phone and discovered a photograph of an adult woman in her underwear. Ford admitted that the image originated from the dating app Badoo, which he had previously deleted from his device. He explained that he had removed the app to hide it from his ex-partner, claiming he did not want to upset her.

Further investigation revealed that Ford had used his flatmate’s tablet computer to watch pornography. Initially, Ford claimed he used the device solely for streaming Netflix shows, but when informed that the tablet, which had not been registered with the police, would be subject to forensic analysis, he confessed to viewing online pornography. Prosecutors noted that the material viewed was similar in nature to the voyeuristic images that had been central to his original offences.

Ford, who resides on Buckthorn Crescent in Didcot, pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order. It was also revealed that he had three previous convictions for similar breaches. Despite the earlier leniency shown by the court, Ford’s repeated violations led to a more severe sentence. On Wednesday, Judge Gledhill sentenced him to 28 months in prison, emphasizing the importance of enforcing court orders to protect the public and prevent further offending.