A sex offender deleted online sexual conversations with “large numbers” of women in Kenya before police could examine his phone, a court has heard. Mark Bell also deleted a dating app from his device, a dating service which he had not told his probation officer about. Swansea Crown Court heard police were aware of his “concerning” online activities thanks to monitoring software on his phone. The 41-year-old’s barrister said his client realised he had been “stupid” in trying to conceal what he was doing – a judge said another description may be “arrogant”.
Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, said in November last year Bell was handed a suspended prison sentence and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for attempted sexual communications with a child. As part of the order, he was banned from deleting his search history from any internet-enabled devices and had “e-safe” software installed on his phone to monitor his online activity.
Police received notifications from the software about images the defendant was downloading and his online activity, which were of concern. Bell had been using the Hi5 dating app and had been in contact with women in Kenya via the WhatsApp messaging app, exchanging sexual messages and naked photos with them. Officers found he had deleted the dating app and the extensive WhatsApp chats.
Bell, of Murray Street, Llanelli, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order. His barrister stated Bell had been engaging well with rehabilitation and had completed unpaid work hours. The judge decided to give Bell a final chance, sentencing him to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months, with additional unpaid work and a rehabilitation course. Breaching the suspended sentence added an extra 50 hours of unpaid work.
The judge warned Bell that he was drinking in the last chance saloon and would not receive another opportunity. If he were to breach the order again, further consequences would be inevitable. Despite his guilty plea, Bell was given a stern warning and a chance to reform his actions.
This case serves as a reminder of the stringent consequences for breaching court orders and the importance of adhering to restrictions set by the law. Bell’s actions highlight the necessity of strict monitoring to protect potential victims and prevent reoffending behaviours.