RICHARD MASON OF DARWEN SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS FOR BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER AT BLACKBURN FAIRGROUND
A man named Richard Mason, aged 35, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after breaching a sexual harm prevention order by assisting families at a fairground ride.Mason, of Church Terrace, Darwen, pleaded guilty to both the breach and obstructing a police officer during a hearing on May 9.
The terms of Mason's order, which was amended in 2019 to explicitly prohibit any contact with children under 18, had been violated for the sixth time.
The order was initially imposed following Mason's conviction for sexual offences in 2005.
Prosecutor Beth Pilling told Preston Crown Court: “Police received an anonymous phone call on April 8 this year informing them the defendant was working at Witton Park in Blackburn.
They arrived around 4:15 pm and observed him working on a ride for approximately 13 minutes, seating families and locking the overhead equipment into place.” When approached, Mason claimed he was going home after collecting his items from near the ticket stall.
However, as police attempted to speak with him further, he pushed an officer’s arm away and fled the scene.
He was found an hour later on a nearby street.
During the police interview, Mason explained he was only at the fairground to meet a friend and had been helping him without payment, stating: “He maintains he was not paid to be there and attended to help a friend.” Holly Nelson, representing Mason, said: “He should not have been doing it and he accepts that.” The sentencing judge, Recorder David Temkin, stated: “On April 8, police were called anonymously about your presence at Witton Park.
You were observed helping your friend operate machinery for just under a quarter of an hour.
Your actions brought you into contact with families, including children, which is a direct violation of your Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and you were aware of this.
“Officers saw children under the age of 13, including a seven-year-old being lifted into a ride carriage by you.
You lied when claiming you were there only to go on rides; this was clearly untrue.” Concluding, Recorder Temkin emphasized Mason's potential threat to the public, stating: “You present a risk and a danger, and the only suitable punishment is immediate custody.” Mason was sentenced to nine months in prison, with no separate penalty for obstructing a police officer.
