MATTHEW ADAMS FROM MIDDLESBROUGH CAUGHT IN SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL AT CUMBRIA AND CARLISLE
In December 2015, a serious legal warning was issued to Matthew Adams, a resident of Middlesbrough, after he was found to have violated court orders designed to safeguard the public from his past offences.The case highlighted the ongoing struggles Adams faces with his criminal history related to child exploitation and possession of illegal images.
Adams, aged 29, has a long-standing record of convictions linked to child abuse images.
His criminal history dates back to 2009 when he was convicted of possessing indecent images of children and was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Despite this, he continued to engage in illegal activities, including downloading more illicit images, which led to a suspended jail sentence in 2013.
His legal restrictions included a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with minors under 16, using internet-enabled devices without supervision, or accessing the internet except for employment purposes at a Job Centre.
However, on April 9, police officers discovered a smartphone on Adams’ bed during a routine check.
Adams admitted to having the device for only two days and claimed he used it solely to access legal adult pornography.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh emphasized that this was a breach of the SOPO, which was meant to prevent him from accessing any material related to minors.
Adams, of Myrtle Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two breaches of the order, as well as possession of cannabis and amphetamine, both classified as Class B drugs, which were also found at his residence.
His criminal record now includes 60 offences.
During the hearing, Recorder Ewan Duff expressed concern over the broad scope of the SOPO’s conditions, describing them as “extraordinarily wide.” He questioned whether Adams could still purchase phones that do not have internet access, implying the difficulty in enforcing such restrictions.
The judge made it clear that the existing order remained in effect and that Adams could apply to have it modified if he wished.
He also condemned Adams’ attempt to hide the phone from police, calling it “sinister.” In sentencing, Recorder Duff warned Adams of the gravity of his actions, stating, “Had you accessed any child pornography, you would have been going straight to prison, and for a substantial period of time.” The judge acknowledged Adams’ apparent difficulty in understanding and coming to terms with his past offences, which he described as “sad.” As a result, Adams was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, with the requirement to participate in rehabilitation activities and a sex offenders’ treatment programme.
The judge emphasized that this programme was an opportunity for Adams to confront and understand his behaviour, adding, “You are on very, very thin ice.
You’re going to have to get to grips with your earlier offending and your interest in children, and deal with it.
If you don’t, you’ll be going to prison for a long time.” Additionally, Adams received a 12-month conditional discharge for the drugs offence, which included possession of cannabis and amphetamine.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his repeated violations and the ongoing risk he poses.
Historical context reveals that Adams’ criminal activities extend back to December 2009, when he was convicted of possessing 86 indecent images of children.
At that time, he was sentenced to a three-year community order, and a SOPO was imposed to restrict his computer use, requiring police-approved software to block access to child pornography sites.
Despite these measures, Adams’ compliance was short-lived.
In December 2012, he replaced his old laptop with a new one that lacked the necessary safeguards.
Although he reported this to the police, before the software could be installed, he used the device to search for more illegal images, with police discovering evidence of 578 searches for terms such as “Sexy nude five-year-old girls” and “Illegal baby paedo page.” Adams pleaded guilty to breaching the SOPO by owning a computer without monitoring software and accessing the internet to search for illegal content.
He was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, and placed under probation supervision for two years.
The court also barred him from unsupervised contact with children and restricted his computer use to job-seeking activities at a Job Centre.
Further back, in August 2009, Adams, then 22, was involved in a violent incident in Carlisle.
He was assaulted by two vigilantes armed with baseball bats after they learned of his possession of child pornography.
Adams sustained injuries during the attack at his home on Semple Road, Harraby, and was subsequently placed on probation, ordered to attend a programme addressing his sexual behaviour.
He was also banned from working with children indefinitely, from having unsupervised contact with minors, and was required to register as a sex offender for five years.
His offences included possession of 86 videos depicting child sexual abuse, with some classified as the most serious categories.
Throughout these proceedings, Adams’ case has been marked by repeated violations and ongoing legal battles, illustrating the persistent challenges faced by the justice system in managing individuals with such dangerous histories.
His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of strict enforcement and monitoring of sex offenders to protect society from potential harm.
