Convicted Sex Offender Caught Viewing Pornography at Library

Keith Smith, a 72-year-old convicted sex offender from Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, was caught viewing pornography on a library computer while sitting next to a young girl. The incident occurred at the Arcadia Library in Levenshulme on October 28, 2023.

A woman using a nearby computer noticed Smith viewing images of semi-naked women and confronted him. Smith initially denied viewing explicit material but later claimed he had received a "bad email" containing the pornography.

After being identified through library records, police requested Smith's phone for analysis, as he was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed in 2011 following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children. One condition of his SHPO required him to show his internet history upon request.

Smith refused to provide the phone, claiming he had borrowed it from a friend to take pictures of gas and electric meters and feared police would confront his friend aggressively.

At Manchester Crown Court, Smith admitted breaching his SHPO. His defense attorney argued that while Smith's behavior showed "poor judgment," his actions did not warrant criminal charges beyond the breach of his order. She also highlighted Smith's anxiety and depression as mitigating factors.

Judge Hilary Manley sentenced Smith to an eight-month jail term suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation program, engage in 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements, and pay £150 in court costs.