Man jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order

A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after breaking the terms of a court order put in place to prevent him from reoffending.

Lee Billingham, aged 46, formerly known as Lee Murray, was sentenced to 32 months at Northampton Crown Court after breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) imposed in 2014 following a number of incidents in which Billingham engaged in sexual contact and communication with children under the age of 16.

During a scheduled probation service visit, it was discovered that Billingham had been using the internet on his mobile phone in private browser mode.

Subsequent examination of the phone and also a tablet device by Northamptonshire Police found he had also deleted his internet history – both actions banned under the terms of his SHPO.

On Monday, July 26, Billingham, of South Holme Court, Northampton, appeared at Northampton Crown Court and was jailed for a total of 32 months, after only admitting the two breaches on what would have been the first day of his trial.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Constable Sophie Duffree, of the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team at Northamptonshire Police, said: “Part of the role of the MOSOVO team is to ensure that registered sex offenders abide by their court orders, and when they fail to do so, to bring them to justice.

“Lee Billingham’s actions around his internet activity were a deliberate attempt to hide what he was doing from police and probation services. I am pleased that this sentence has put a persistent offender who chose to breach his sexual harm prevention order, and to hinder officers’ efforts to manage his risk to the community, behind bars.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of online safety. Check in with your children about who they are speaking to online, and any concerns they may have. There are resources online with advice on how to keep your child safe at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/.”

Following the sentencing hearing, the terms of Billingham’s SHPO were extended and it was put in place indefinitely, meaning it will remain in place unless a court orders otherwise.