A Spennymoor man has been fined £588 for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by using and deleting Telegram.
Richard Broughton, 49, of Westmoorland Close, Spennymoor, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on November 17, 2025.
Broughton admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on November 12, 2025, by using and deleting the encrypted messaging application Telegram.
The order, imposed by Durham Crown Court on July 1, 2016, specifically banned this activity.
The court was told Broughton indicated a guilty plea, which was taken into account when sentencing.
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Magistrates imposed a fine of £588 as an alternative to a community order, with credit given for the guilty plea.
Broughton was also ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £235 victim surcharge.
The payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £80.
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