STEVEN STURGESS SENTENCED IN GUILDFORD FOR BREACHING SEXUAL OFFENDER CONDITIONS

STEVEN STURGESS SENTENCED IN GUILDFORD FOR BREACHING SEXUAL OFFENDER CONDITIONS

A 52-year-old man from Guildford, Steven Sturgess, has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 15 November.

Sturgess, who was subject to the SHPO and listed on the Sex Offender’s Register since 2009, faced restrictions including limited internet access and unannounced visits from authorities.

During a visit in February last year, officers discovered that the monitoring software installed on Sturgess's laptop had been removed.

Further inspections of the device revealed that he was accessing extreme pornography and indecent images of children.

Sturgess pleaded guilty to charges of possession of extreme pornography and making indecent images of children.

PC Lisa Varley and PC Graham Smith, who led the investigation, stated: “The restrictions placed on convicted sex offenders allow us to monitor their behaviour closely, and when breaches such as this one arise, we are able to take swift action to prevent further harm and de-escalate the offender’s behaviour.” They added, “I hope this sentence serves as a reminder to other offenders out there that we will diligently monitor and check your behaviour and we will not hesitate to act if you re-offend.”