Kieron Mead, a 34-year-old sex offender from Halifax, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for repeatedly breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Mead was originally given the five-year SHPO in June 2023 after being convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Just ten days later, police discovered he had been using various social media platforms and messaging apps, including Facebook, which was prohibited under his order.

During subsequent visits, officers found Mead in possession of additional devices, including a tablet and laptop, that contained evidence of further breaches. He was found to be using these devices for communication, accessing dating websites, and engaging with individuals on unauthorized platforms like Snapchat.

Mead's defense argued that his upbringing and emotional development contributed to his difficulties communicating with adults, leading him to seek connection with children. However, the judge deemed Mead's repeated offenses over a 12-month period, including the initial breach committed just days after being issued the SHPO, as "persistent" and aggravated by his deliberate attempts to circumvent the restrictions.

Sentencing Mead to two and a half years imprisonment, the judge emphasized the seriousness of his actions and highlighted that he would serve up to 40% of the sentence in custody minus time already spent on remand.