Mum shocked to learn of County Durham man’s sex offence past

Lewis Brown was convicted of making indecent images of children in July 2022 and told at the time he would have to tell police if he ever stayed at an address with youngsters present for more than 12 hours.

But he failed to tell police when he stayed at the woman’s home, and she, was shocked when she was later informed of his offending history.

Brown, 24, appeared at Durham Crown Court for sentence having admitted two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and one of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Emily Jo Willis, prosecuting, said Brown was convicted of making indecent images of children in July 2022 and was made subject of registration as a sex offender and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for five years.

Miss Willis said under the notification requirements he had to inform police within three days if he stayed at an address for more than 12 hours where a child was staying.

He was also forbidden from removing files from electronic devices without the permission of his police offender risk manager.

Miss Willis said the defendant met the woman on TikTok and developed a friendship, visiting her in the early hours of November 14, and staying there for two nights.

While he was there, he was said to have spent time with her family, but he did not disclose it to police.

When the police later spoke to her, she provided screenshots showing photos of the defendant in the presence of children.

But the defendant’s device did not include those photos and accompanying conversation, and so he must have deleted them.

The woman who said she knew Brown through friends, but was unaware he was a registered sex offender.

She said she felt ashamed having shared images with him, and she was distressed to learn he was a sex offender and she had not known, adding that she would never have allowed him to stay if she had known.

Miss Willis said although it was, “a deliberate breach”, the phone seized from the defendant contained no “compromising images”, and “no offending material.”

She added: “Although he deleted images of the children, there was no suggestion they were indecent.”

Tyler Plunkett, for Brown, of Margaret Street, Ludworth, said he had a difficult upbringing and disrupted education.

Mr Plunkett said his client’s mental health issues were “relevant” to his commission of the offences, in that he had a fear of rejection, affecting his decision-making.

He said the defendant knew he should not have stayed with the woman, but did it just to progress his friendship with her.

“In hindsight, he accepts it was a foolish thing to do.

“It’s clear he has some deficits with his thinking skills”

Judge Richard Bennett told Brown: “I can imagine the distress that she (the woman) felt when she learned the true picture about your background.”

But he said Brown was “immature” and “emotionally damaged”.

“You have had a period of time in custody to reflect on your behaviour,” he said.

“I believe the most suitable disposal is by way of a lengthy community order.”

He passed a 36-month order, to include 20 days’ attending rehabilitation activity sessions and 26 days’ on an accredited programme, both overseen by the Probation Service.

Brown was warned any further breaches would bring him back to court risking an immediate custodial sentence.