DISTURBING SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR GRAPHIC SELF-HARM AND INTERNET BREACHES

A sex offender named Michael Sutherland was found to have committed a series of disturbing acts including nailing his own penis to a piece of wood and taking a photograph of the act. Police discovered this graphic image on Sutherland's devices during a home visit following reports. The court heard that Sutherland had also deleted over 9,000 internet searches related to illegal and inappropriate content, including terms such as 'schoolgirl bondage,' 'girls tied up,' and 'black girl bondage porn.' Prosecutors revealed that he accessed Snapchat, which does not save messages, in breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was also found to have deleted numerous messages from Facebook Messenger and instant messaging apps. In total, more than 120 messages had been deleted from Facebook Messenger, and hundreds from other apps, with evidence of breaches stored on his phones. His browsing history and searches clearly indicated ongoing violations of his court order.

Sutherland’s devices contained illicit images, including extreme pornography depicting him nailing his own penis to a piece of wood. He also searched for terms involving 'schoolgirl in strip bondage.' The court established that the breaches occurred over a prolonged period, emphasizing their severity.

Judge Richard McConaghy described the offending as so serious that only immediate imprisonment was appropriate. He told Sutherland: "You knew your electronic devices were to be monitored and you were not to delete your internet history or download software which did not save history. You had deleted your browsing history, with more than 9,000 separate searches. You also downloaded two pieces of software that do not record messages, and you deleted hundreds of messages from various apps on your phone."

Following sentencing, PC Kate Callaghan from Staffordshire Police’s sex offenders unit stated: "Sutherland knew his actions were in clear breach of his order and acknowledged this in interview. I am pleased he admitted his offending in court and received a custodial sentence. Officers continue to monitor and assess those convicted of sexual crimes to prevent re-offending and protect the public from harm."

Sutherland, who currently has no fixed address, was sentenced to two years in prison.