Harold Blackburn, jailed in 2022 for sexual offences, receives additional sentence for breaching a sexual harm order.
His sentence included an order. He couldn’t make new social media. He had to tell his offender manager first. This order restricted his online activity.
In October, his probation officer got worried. Blackburn was talking to many women. Officers investigated on October 19th and found he broke the rules.
He downloaded Zangi and Telegram. He didn’t tell probation within three days and got arrested. Blackburn admitted his mistake at the station. He said he should have notified the police.
His lawyer, Anthony Horsfall, said he felt bad. Blackburn lacks support since going to prison and received an eviction notice. He wasn’t using the apps for kids.
Blackburn used these apps to talk to adult women. The concern was about the apps themselves. He wasn’t contacting children, his lawyer added.
Judge Heather Lloyd noted the dates and reminded him of the 2022 warning. He downloaded the apps around October 1st and was arrested on October 19th.
The judge called it a deliberate act. He knew the rules, failed to report, and wanted to hide it. Judge Lloyd gave Blackburn 12 months more prison.