EDWARD ARMSTRONG CAUGHT IN SUNDERLAND WITH SECRET MOBILE PHONE AND ONLINE SEX OFFENSES
In July 2022, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Edward Armstrong, a known sex offender from Sunderland, who was found in possession of a clandestine mobile device that had been completely wiped clean of all data prior to police examination.Despite the serious nature of his offenses and the breach of legal orders, Armstrong has managed to retain his freedom under specific conditions.
Armstrong, aged 62 and residing at Portsmouth Square, Pennywell, Sunderland, is subject to a stringent Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
This order, issued in 2019, mandates that he must inform authorities about any internet-enabled devices he owns and is required to preserve their search histories.
The order was part of a broader legal response to his previous criminal conduct, which included sending inappropriate sexual messages to an online profile of a 13-year-old girl, created by paedophile hunters.
In May 2020, police officers visited Armstrong’s residence and seized a mobile phone that he had failed to declare.
The device had been restored to factory settings, erasing all previous data, which prevented investigators from reviewing his digital activity.
This act of restoring the phone was a clear breach of the terms set out in his SHPO.
Armstrong, who is also known as Edward Armstrong of Sunderland, admitted to two charges: one for possessing the mobile phone without declaring it and another for restoring it to factory settings, thereby obstructing police inquiries.
During the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr.
Recorder Simon Kealey QC emphasized the importance of compliance with the SHPO, stating, “You are required to notify the police of the circumstances of possession of a phone and required to retain the history of the phone.” The court was informed that this was Armstrong’s first and only breach of the order, which had been in place for over three years.
In sentencing, the judge imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, coupled with rehabilitation requirements aimed at addressing his behavior and preventing future offenses.
This decision reflects the court’s recognition of the breach’s seriousness, despite it being his first violation.
Prior to this incident, Armstrong’s criminal history included a case from November 2019, when he was caught in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters.
During this operation, Armstrong, then 59 and working as an Asda employee in Washington, Tyne and Wear, engaged in online conversations with a decoy profile named Amy, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.
Armstrong had sent explicit messages and expressed a desire to see her naked, although he claimed he would wait until she was 16.
He also sent a photograph of himself in his Asda uniform, which ultimately led to his identification and arrest.
The group Dark Justice tracked him down after he added the fake profile on the Qeep platform and later communicated via the Kik app, providing his mobile number.
The police were alerted, and Armstrong was detained shortly thereafter.
During sentencing for this earlier offense, Recorder Tom Little QC acknowledged the role of the sting operation and Armstrong’s early admission of guilt.
He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and serve a two-year community order with rehabilitation requirements.
The court highlighted that Armstrong’s actions were serious and involved significant sexual communication with a minor, which warranted strict legal consequences.
In conclusion, Edward Armstrong’s case underscores ongoing concerns about online sexual offenses and the importance of strict enforcement of legal orders designed to protect minors.
Despite his breaches and criminal history, he remains at liberty under conditions that aim to monitor and mitigate further risks, but his case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the vigilance required in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
