Chester man who breached sexual offence orders jailed

A man who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failed to comply with the Sex Offenders Register has been jailed.

Michael Stuart Mason, from Southbank in Chester appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 17th August to be sentenced after pleading guilty to nine counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

The 77-year-old was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and his SHPO was extended for a further five years to 2036.

Mason had to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being given a suspended sentence at Mold Crown Court for distributing indecent images, possessing prohibited images and possession of extreme pornography in 2021.

The court heard that between 1st January and 20th April this year Mason failed to notify police that he had obtained a HP Laptop which he was required to do so under the Sexual harm Prevention Order.

He also failed to notify them of his new address which meant he’d failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders Register.

PC Gina Davies from the Sex Offender Management Unit said:

“We are dedicated in our efforts to make sure these offenders are adhering to their orders which are in place to manage them in the community.

“Mason showed absolute disregard for these orders – but the message is clear, if you fail to comply, you will be put before the courts and face time in jail.”

Pictured - Michael Stuart Mason from Southbank in Chester.