Paedophile Jailed Again After Breaching Release Conditions

Justin Barrs, 25, has been sent back to prison just months after being released from a previous sentence for making indecent images of children. He was convicted of the offense five years ago and again in 2020.

Barrs, who had been released on January 26, was found to have breached the conditions of his release. These conditions included presenting his mobile phone to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough the day after moving to the county from Suffolk on April 4.

Upon examination, officers discovered that Barrs had created three usernames for online chat sites and had deleted the social media app Snapchat from his phone. He admitted to being part of an online group for 13 to 19-year-olds, stating to police: "I'm an idiot."

Barrs was charged with three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements for the Sex Offenders Register and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). On August 3, he pleaded guilty at Peterborough Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and four months in jail.

DC Jon Edwards commented: "Protecting children and vulnerable people from harm is one of our top priorities, and I am very pleased Barrs' breaches of his release conditions were discovered so he could be brought back before the courts. I would urge parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers of phones, social media, and the importance of online safety."