ROBERT BERESFORD FROM ECCLES JAILED AFTER BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about online grooming and the enforcement of sexual harm prevention measures, Robert Beresford, a 47-year-old man from Eccles, has been sentenced to prison following a series of breaches related to his previous criminal conduct.

Back in June 2019, Beresford was involved in a disturbing incident where he was caught during a 'paedophile hunter' sting operation. He had arranged to meet what he believed was an 11-year-old girl for sexual activity, bringing condoms with him to the meeting. Unbeknownst to him, the individual he was communicating with was not a young girl but an adult male operating as a paedophile hunter, aiming to expose predators.

Following this incident, Beresford was prosecuted and received a suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court. He was convicted of attempting to meet a child under the age of 16 after grooming, and his sentence was set at 16 months, suspended for two years. As part of his sentence, he was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was required to register as a sex offender. The order explicitly prohibited him from using internet-enabled devices or devices capable of displaying explicit images unless he obtained prior approval from authorities.

However, the story did not end there. On January 27, 2021, Beresford was brought back before Minshull Street Crown Court after authorities discovered he had violated the terms of his SHPO. The police had conducted a routine check at his residence on Matlock Street, Eccles, on November 28, 2020. During this visit, Beresford handed over an iPhone when asked, claiming there were no other electronic devices at his property. Yet, suspicion arose after police examined his email account, prompting a comprehensive search of his home.

During this search, officers uncovered a significant collection of electronic devices, including four laptops, two mobile phones, memory sticks, two digital cameras, an external hard drive, and an internet router. While two of these devices were examined and found to contain no indecent images or conversations with minors, the sheer volume of devices raised concerns about potential further violations.

In addition to the breach of the SHPO, police found Beresford in possession of condoms and tissues in his vehicle at the time of his initial arrest in 2019, indicating ongoing inappropriate behavior. The court heard that since his last court appearance, Beresford had entered into a relationship with a woman he met online, who has a young daughter, raising further questions about his conduct and the potential risk he poses.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Robert Beresford to 18 months in prison for two counts of breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The judge emphasized the importance of upholding such orders to protect children and the community from potential harm. Beresford's case underscores the persistent challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and enforcing restrictions on individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially in the digital age.