A CONVICTED sex offender who deleted his internet history and dating apps has been jailed for 12 months.

John Graham had breached his sexual offences prevention order when he was caught last year when police carried out a check of his digital devices.

The 33-year-old was nervous while the officer was talking to him and he was scrolling through his mobile phone in November last year.

The officer suspected he was deleting his internet history and discovered he had created a profile for a dating app and deleted three different apps while the officer was speaking to him.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said Graham had received a police caution for sexual assault on a teenage girl and possession of extreme pornography resulting him being given an indefinite SHPO.

She said the defendant had previously failed to comply with conditions of the sex offenders' register and breached his SHPO on a number of occasions resulting in him receiving a suspended sentence.

Tom Bennett, in mitigation, urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence to enable his client to receive the support he needed after separating from his 'abusive' ex-partner and to learn to deal with his autism.

Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC said: "You used a device to access dating sites and then deleted your internet history – this is your fifth breach of your SHPO and your notification order."

He added: "I have to impose an immediate sentence for this breach and part of your suspended sentence."

Graham, of Petch Street, Stockton, pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his SHPO.

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