Mark Richard Phillips Sentenced for SHPO Breach

Mark Richard Phillips of Forton Road was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 1 March. The court heard that Phillips, who was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), was arrested in August 2023 after concerns were raised about unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 at his business premises on Forton Road, the Nurd Shop.

Phillips argued that his actions were not a breach of the SHPO because the door to his business was open, making it a public space. However, the court determined that his actions, which had been reported to the police, constituted a serious breach of the order.

Offender Manager Mathew Lawn, who investigated the case, stated: "Thankfully no children were harmed by Phillips' actions. However, it was clear that by organizing events for young children in his business premises, which was clearly a breach of his SHPO, that he had no intention of following the conditions of the order."

Lawn further explained that police were alerted by concerned parents after their children reported suspicious comments and behaviors from Phillips when he was the only adult present. "I'm pleased that the court has taken this breach so seriously," he added. "It brings reassurance for the local community and sends a clear message that anyone found to be breaching the conditions of an order they are subject to will face a significant custodial sentence."