July 2020 Sex offender from Oldham in dock for deleting net search history A convicted sex offender whose computer settings deleted his internet history has been given a second chance by a judge. Richard Thompson, 54, was given a suspended prison sentence in 2018 for making indecent images and publishing obscene articles. A sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was also imposed to control his online activities. But Minshull Street Crown Court heard when a Macbook and iPhone were handed back to him, he kept them on ‘factory’ settings, which deleted his net search history after each session. Prosecutor Lisa Boocock said this fact was discovered during a police check. The defendant had made a “conscious choice” not to interfere with the settings. Passing sentence Judge Mark Savill said the temptation for Thompson to view images similar to those he was watching before had remained. Thompson, of Huddersfield Road, Lees, who pleaded guilty to two breach of the SHPO, was given a further eight-month suspended prison term. with supervision.