Callum Keith Roberts

Callum Keith Roberts, 23, from Ffordd Llandygai, Llandygai near Bangor, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court where he was sentenced for breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Roberts, who is on the sex offenders' register for life following a 2018 conviction at Swansea Crown Court for sexual activity with a child and causing a child to watch sexual activity, was jailed for four years at that time. The prevention order prohibited him from contacting girls under 18 without meeting specific conditions and from deleting his internet usage history.

Despite these restrictions, on 9 June 2021, Roberts purchased an iPhone 7. In the following month, North Wales Police officers visited his home, discovered the phone, and reminded him of his obligations. However, just days later, officers returned and examined the device, uncovering 310 WhatsApp messages and phone calls to girls, including one to a 13-year-old that lasted 15 minutes. The investigation also revealed 557 visits to internet sites, with 539 of them containing sexual content, all of which Roberts had deleted in an attempt to hide his actions.

Prosecutor Thomas McLaughlin outlined the breaches during the hearing, emphasising the severity given Roberts' status on the register. Defending barrister Peter Donnison acknowledged the 'incredibly serious' nature of the offences, noting that Roberts was only 19 at the time of the original crimes and had recently lost his brother. Donnison highlighted Roberts' recognition of the need for rehabilitation and mentioned lined-up carpentry work upon release, though the Horizon rehabilitation programme had been unavailable during his prior custody.

His Honour Judge Timothy Petts described the case as serious, stating that only a custodial sentence was appropriate due to the repeated breaches. Roberts admitted two counts of breaching the order and was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for each, to run concurrently. The court heard that police had retrieved the deleted evidence, leading to his arrest.