Police Granted Increased Monitoring Power for Sex Offender's Internet Use

Caernarfon Magistrates Court ruled that it was "imperative" to protect the public and granted police increased powers to monitor the internet use of Geraint Rowlands, 61, of Cleveland Avenue, Tywyn.

Rowlands was previously convicted of possessing indecent images in 2017 and was subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). However, he pleaded guilty to breaching this order after showing interest in six apps and websites, including Chaturbate, Google Hangouts, MeWe, Trillian, Flickr, and Discord between March 2, 2020, and June 18, 2021.

Police lawyer Gareth Preston argued for the SHPO to be modified, allowing police to install risk management monitoring software on Rowlands' devices. Magistrates chairman Julie Eddows granted the application, deeming it "imperative" for the safety of the public.

The court heard that police received information last year about an allegedly indecent image uploaded from a device linked to Rowlands' address. Following an investigation, officers found evidence of searches and keywords related to child sexual abuse on his mobile phone and laptop. The searches were conducted under the alias "Carol," which Rowlands had used in the past.

Prosecutor Nicola Williams stated that despite previous efforts to rehabilitate Rowlands, his offending continued. She subsequently applied to have the case committed to Crown Court for sentencing, as the Magistrates Court's sentencing powers were insufficient in this case.

Ms Eddows granted the application and adjourned the case for a sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court on April 1. Rowlands was granted unconditional bail.