GAWAN NEWTON FROM ILMINSTER AND TAUNTON CAUGHT USING SECRET BROWSER IN SEX OFFENDER CASE

In July 2018, Gawan Newton, a registered sex offender with ties to Ilminster and formerly of Taunton, appeared once again before the court to face sentencing related to his recent online activities. The court imposed a financial penalty on him, which included a fine, along with additional costs and a victim surcharge. Specifically, Newton was ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge, which he was instructed to settle at a rate of £20 per month.

The incident that led to this court appearance occurred in June 2018, when Newton was found to have engaged in the use of a clandestine internet browser designed to conceal his online activity. This browser, known as the 'Tor Browser,' is a tool that allows users to browse the internet anonymously by deleting browsing history immediately after use, thereby evading standard monitoring and record-keeping. Newton, who is 25 years old and residing at Court Barton, was identified as having downloaded this browser after police conducted an unannounced visit to his residence.

During the police visit, officers seized several of Newton’s hardware devices, including components from his gaming computer and a memory card. Subsequent examination revealed that Newton had downloaded the Tor Browser, which he claimed was intended solely to bypass regional restrictions on content and was not used with malicious intent. He explained to officers that he did not consider the act significant at the time and that it was a lapse in judgment.

However, Newton’s explanation was met with skepticism by the authorities. His solicitor, Greg Peters, described the incident as a “blip” and emphasized that there was no malicious intent behind the download. Despite this, the magistrates at Yeovil expressed doubts about Newton’s explanation, stating that they believed his actions were deliberate.

Newton’s legal troubles stem from a prior conviction for sexual offences in May 2012. Following that conviction, he was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) issued by Taunton Magistrates on May 29, 2012. This order imposed a series of restrictions on Newton, including strict rules about his use of devices capable of accessing the internet. Specifically, the SOPO mandated that Newton could only use such devices if they displayed his browsing history, ensuring compliance with monitoring requirements.

On October 22 of the previous year, Newton was found to have breached this order. Police officers, during an unannounced visit to his home, requested that he surrender his gaming PC’s hard drives and a memory card. An investigation of these devices revealed that Newton had performed a Google search for “Tor Browser” and had subsequently downloaded the software. This act was a clear violation of the terms set out in his SOPO, as the browser is designed to delete browsing history immediately after use, making it impossible for authorities to monitor his online activity.

Newton was taken to Chard police station, where he voluntarily admitted to the offence during an interview. The prosecution argued that Newton’s actions demonstrated deliberate behaviour, as the specific search for the Tor Browser and the subsequent download indicated an awareness of the browser’s ability to erase his online trail. The court was told that Newton knew he was breaching the restrictions imposed by his SOPO, and his conduct was viewed as a calculated attempt to conceal his internet activity.