Chester sex offender caught with smartphone used for internet banking, breaching restriction

CHESTER SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH SMARTPHONE USED FOR INTERNET BANKING, BREACHING RESTRICTION

A CONVICTED sex offender has admitted breaching his sexual harm prevention order with a smartphone he says he used for mobile banking.

Terry Moore, 72, of Lightfoot Street, Hoole, was convicted in 2015 and 2017 of possessing indecent images of children.

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Moore was found to be in possession of an internet-enabled device, namely a mobile phone, which he kept in a holdall with a number of boys boxer shorts and a blazer.

Moore had previously stated that he had only a basic Nokia mobile without internet capability, but later admitted to police that he had had the smartphone for around two years and had bought it for internet banking.

Defence solicitor, Jo Black, said that Moore had been “frank and candid” with police and that no further charges were anticipated with regards to the contents of the phone.

Ms Black also recommended that a pre-sentence report be carried out.

Magistrates agreed that the case “clearly” required a pre-sentence report before a judgement is made at Chester Crown Court.

Moore was granted unconditional bail – but with the terms of the sexual harm prevention order still in place – and will appear at crown court on Tuesday, March 18.