MICHAEL HORN FROM COBRIDGE, HANLEY, AND NEWCASTLE SENT BACK TO PRISON FOR REPEATED SEX OFFENDER BREACHES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over several years, Michael Horn, a known sex offender from Cobridge, Hanley, and Newcastle, has been repeatedly found violating court orders designed to restrict his access to minors and prevent further offenses. His latest incarceration follows a pattern of breaches involving online communications with underage girls, possession of indecent images, and inappropriate contact with minors in public spaces.

Back in January 2018, Horn, aged 25, was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after he admitted to breaching a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that had been imposed on him in 2012. The court heard that Horn had contacted teenage girls via the internet, persuading them to send him explicit images of themselves. Prosecutor Paul Spratt detailed that Horn had breached the order for the 12th and 13th times by engaging with 14-year-old girls online and maintaining contact with another registered sex offender. These offenses occurred just weeks after Horn was given a three-year community order for engaging in online conversations with a 15-year-old schoolgirl.

According to court records, Horn had visited a Vodafone store in Newcastle on two occasions with a registered sex offender, where he purchased a dongle to enable internet access on his computer. During these visits, Horn used his device to access websites frequented by young girls and persuaded them to send him explicit images. Prosecutor Spratt emphasized that Horn admitted to seeking and receiving sexually explicit images of 14-year-old girls. Judge David Fletcher expressed concern over Horn’s repeated breaches, stating, “The escalating number of breaches, and the frequency they are occurring, is causing me a great deal of concern. If these breaches continue, the sentences will only get longer.” As a result, Horn’s community order was revoked, and he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade.

In September 2017, Horn’s violations became even more alarming when he engaged in online sexual conversations with a 15-year-old schoolgirl, using computers at Newcastle Library. The conversations included discussions about meeting up, with the girl referring to Horn as ‘daddy’. Horn confessed to his probation officer shortly before the girl was scheduled to travel to Stoke, revealing that he had been communicating with her for over four months, during which he discussed sexual topics and plans to meet. Police contacted the girl, who confirmed she was in a relationship with Horn but had not yet met him in person. Mobile phone analysis revealed that Horn had used a second phone to carry out these conversations, which were predominantly sexual in nature. Judge Fletcher sentenced Horn to a three-year community order, requiring him to complete a sex offenders’ program.

Horn’s history of breaches extends further back to December 2014, when he was sentenced for five violations of his SOPO, including accessing the internet and attempting to meet a schoolgirl in Sheffield. At that time, Horn, residing on Waterloo Road in Cobridge, was also found to have indecent images of children on his phone. The court was told that Horn had pretended to be a 16-year-old to groom his victim, who was 15, and had arranged to meet her in Sheffield. Despite these breaches, Horn was handed a three-year community order, with Judge Fletcher warning him to control his urges or face longer imprisonment.

Throughout these incidents, Horn’s actions have demonstrated a persistent pattern of violating court restrictions, engaging in online grooming, and possessing illegal images. His repeated breaches highlight ongoing concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of current measures to prevent reoffending by sex offenders. Authorities remain vigilant, and Horn’s case underscores the importance of strict enforcement and monitoring of individuals with a history of sexual offenses.