Josh Guilder

A 24-year-old man from Northampton, Josh Guilder, who is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) as a registered sex offender, has been returned to prison following multiple breaches of his strict post-release conditions. The incidents, which occurred in May 2024, involved online harassment and other violations that demonstrated a disregard for the safeguards designed to protect the public.

Guilder initially contacted a woman selling baby products online, posing as a genuine buyer. However, his messages quickly turned disturbing, with him expressing a desire for the woman's baby to 'suck on the dummies' she was selling, claiming he 'wanted them used'. The woman, feeling shocked and disturbed, ceased communication, but Guilder persisted by sending another explicit message: 'can I take the dummy out of your baby’s mouth and suck on it.' These actions formed the basis of a charge of harassment without violence.

Further breaches included deleting messages on WhatsApp, which contravened his SHPO, and Guilder's admissions to having contact with two unknown children while purchasing used baby products online. These unauthorised interactions highlighted ongoing risks associated with his status as a sex offender. Guilder was charged with one count of harassment without violence, two counts of breaching his SHPO, and one count of attempting to breach his SHPO.

Following his guilty pleas at Northampton Crown Court in June 2024, Guilder appeared for sentencing on 28 October 2024 at the same court. He received a custodial sentence of one year and six months. The case was investigated by PC Carl Gardner from Northamptonshire Police’s Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) Team, who commented: 'Josh Guilder wasn’t long out of prison when he committed these strange and disturbing offences. For that reason, I’m really pleased he is back behind bars and unable to commit further crimes.' PC Gardner emphasised the robust management of registered sex offenders, stating: 'Registered sex offenders are very closely managed by our team and I want to be clear that any breaches are dealt with robustly. We do not give second chances or ‘the benefit of the doubt’ - anyone who breaches their order is charged and brought before the courts with a view to sending them to prison.' He added that Guilder's imprisonment makes the streets of Northamptonshire safer.

This case underscores the importance of SHPOs in monitoring and restricting the activities of convicted sex offenders to prevent further harm. The source for this information is the official Northamptonshire Police news release dated 31 October 2024.