Daniel Gardner

Daniel Gardner, a 53-year-old registered sex offender from Carlisle, appeared before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court after admitting to breaching his strict notification requirements by creating online usernames without informing the police.

In 2016, Gardner was convicted at Carlisle Crown Court of serious sexual offences, including downloading and distributing indecent photographs of children. The court heard that he had engaged in online conversations with adults and children about the abuse of children and incited youngsters to engage in sexual activity. He admitted to 13 charges, with the youngest purported victim being 11 years old. For these crimes, Gardner received an immediate three-year prison sentence and was placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

As part of his ongoing obligations, Gardner was legally required to notify police of any changes to his personal information, including the creation of online accounts. However, he flouted these rules by creating three separate online usernames: two earlier in the year of the court appearance and a third between January 2021 and September of that year. He admitted to three counts of failure to comply with notification requirements.

During the hearing, defence solicitor Adele Graham highlighted Gardner's early guilty pleas, his compliance during a police interview, and his remorse. A pre-sentence report from the probation service recommended a community-based punishment, noting Gardner's low mood and anxiety, which prison might exacerbate. District Judge Philip Holden acknowledged the extreme seriousness of Gardner's original offences, stating, “You know well you are not to create online usernames without first telling the police about them.” The judge imposed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with requirements for rehabilitation work and a 26-day programme. He warned Gardner, “You know now that this is hanging over your head. If you don’t comply, you know what’s going to happen. You have come very close to going to prison today. Take this chance. Comply with your order.”

The case was reported by News and Star, with details sourced from the court proceedings at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court. Cumbria Police provided information on the prior conviction and the image of Gardner.