Former special police officer jailed for a sexual chat online with a child.

Former Special Police Officer Jailed Again for Breaching Court Order

Jack Baxter, 27, who was previously jailed for engaging in sexual chat online with a child, has been sentenced to another six months in prison for breaching a court order.

Baxter, while on duty in 2016, sent sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2017 and subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The latest imprisonment stems from Baxter's admission to unlawfully deleting his web browsing history. This incident occurred after he used the Grindr social media app, which is targeted at men, in October of last year.

Baxter was originally apprehended in November 2016 during an online sting operation conducted by Lancashire Police, the force he was employed by. He was subsequently sentenced to prison in October 2017 after pleading guilty to attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and misconduct in public office.

"Rehabilitation prospect unrealistic"

The SHPO, imposed on Baxter in 2017, imposed strict limitations on his online activities. In 2019, he was found to have unlawfully possessed electronic devices while attempting to communicate with females on social media. He was ordered to complete 24 months of rehabilitation under probation service supervision.

However, despite these efforts, the court heard that Baxter had repeatedly breached the SHPO by deleting his web browsing history. This was deemed a "deliberate breach" by Judge Nicholas Barker, who agreed with the probation service's assessment that "there cannot really [currently] be a realistic prospect of rehabilitation."

Baxter's defense argued that the latest offenses did not involve contact with females in a manner prohibited by the SHPO. They also highlighted his previous academic achievements and his desire to join the police force. They claimed that Baxter suffered from personal trauma and required support for his mental health and emotional well-being.

The SHPO will remain in effect.