Messaging a 15-year-old boy and trying to encourage sexual activity.

Man Jailed for Seven Years After Breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Befriending 13-Year-Old Boy

Luke Tucker, 23, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and establishing a "friendship" with a 13-year-old boy.

Tucker, who was convicted of a sexual offense in October 2022, was issued the SHPO in February 2023. This order required him to notify police of any address where someone under 18 resides, inform them of any aliases, and restrict his internet access and storage capabilities.

Despite the order, Tucker initiated a "friendship" with a 13-year-old boy, falsely claiming to be 16 years old. He showered the boy with gifts, stayed at his home, and invited him to his own address in Eight Acre Lane, Colchester.

During the investigation, authorities discovered Tucker had also been messaging a 15-year-old boy, attempting to engage him in sexual activity. A search of his home on March 25 revealed several memory cards, USB sticks, and hard drives, all in violation of his SHPO.

Tucker was found guilty of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and failing to comply with the sex offenders register. He was sentenced to seven years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday.

PC Graeme Braby, the lead investigator, stated, "Luke Tucker poses a very real danger to young people. The fact he defied the significant constraints on his contact with children, access to the internet, and access to storage devices highlights the lengths he was prepared to go to."

"Many people around the county will not think, or want to think, about the possibility of a registered sex offender living in their community, but I hope the fact there is a professional, specially trained, and dedicated set of officers and staff managing the risk they pose will be reassuring."