A paedophile sex offender from County Durham, Tony Swift, has been imprisoned for communicating with a youngster over WhatsApp and Snapchat. Tony Swift was discovered to possess internet “aliases” on an unlicensed Xbox at the time of his detention by the police.
In 2019, the 39-year-old was registered as a sex offender and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for charges of blackmail and enticing a minor to engage in sexual behaviour. Tony Swift was prohibited from utilising any internet-enabled equipment unless he informs the police within three days.
He is also barred from engaging with children, unless with prior parental consent or in unavoidable circumstances. In February of this year, Tony Swift violated his instructions by initiating online communication with a juvenile. He had also been utilising an Xbox that he had not registered with the authorities.
On Friday, Tony Swift, residing on Poplar Street in Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from HMP Holme House to receive sentencing for two violations of a sexual harm prevention order and one count of non-compliance. He entered a guilty plea.
Recorder Mark McKone KC sentenced Tony Swift to 26 months of imprisonment. A restraining order of ten years was also enforced.
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