Samuel Kettell Uses Public Computer at Library to Search for Indecent Images of Children

Samuel Kettell, a 24-year-old sex offender from Peterlee, County Durham, was sentenced to two years in prison for repeatedly breaching his court orders and accessing indecent images of children on a public computer.

Kettell's offenses began when he used a public computer at The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art library in Gateshead to search for indecent images of children. His actions raised concerns as the computer was accessible to the general public, including children. Upon arrest two days later, police discovered Kettell in possession of amphetamines.

This incident marked one of several breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and notification requirements imposed after he was jailed in 2022 for downloading and distributing indecent images of children. Kettell had been warned by his risk management officer about his pending no fixed address status and reminded to register his whereabouts with police weekly.

Despite these warnings, Kettell failed to comply with registration requirements, claiming to have no phone while possessing two phones upon a subsequent police encounter. Further breaches included carrying an 8cm craft knife blade hidden in his shoe and possession of amphetamines. He also accessed indecent images again in November last year, leading to a nine-month prison sentence served before his recent offenses.

Judge Carolyn Scott emphasized the seriousness of Kettell's offenses, particularly the misuse of the public computer at The Baltic Centre where members of the public, including children, had access. She imposed a two-year prison sentence, with half to be served on license, and renewed his ten-year notification requirements as a sex offender.