Andrew Mark Wakefield

Andrew Mark Wakefield, 55, from Schooner Street in Barrow-in-Furness, has returned to court after breaching a sexual harm prevention order imposed following his earlier conviction for a sexual offence. In October 2018, Wakefield was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to a nine-month jail term, suspended for two years, after admitting to voyeurism. He had recorded someone using a toilet with the intention of watching the footage for sexual gratification. As part of the sentence, he was required to register on the Sex Offenders Register for five years and comply with a sexual harm prevention order, which mandated that he inform police of any internet-enabled devices in his possession.

The breach occurred during a routine police visit to Wakefield's home address. Officers spotted an HP laptop belonging to his partner, which Wakefield admitted in interview that he had used but failed to report to the authorities. This violation triggered the activation of his suspended sentence. Wakefield was charged with breaching the order and appeared before South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The initial hearing at the magistrates' court was adjourned due to an unusual incident involving the defendant's identity. A man, believed to be Wakefield, attended the court but claimed to be a representative of the defendant. He provided his name as ‘Andrew of the house Wakefield’ and, when asked for his address, stated: “I live in my body.” Magistrates were unable to proceed and had the man removed by security staff. The case has now been scheduled for sentencing at Preston Crown Court on November 13.

This article is based on reporting from The Mail, Barrow-in-Furness edition, covering local court proceedings in Cumbria. The incident highlights ongoing enforcement of sexual harm prevention orders to protect the public from repeat offenders.