Christopher Peter Reynolds

A 63-year-old man from Winsham, Somerset, has been sentenced for breaching his sex offender notification requirements after using a fake name on a popular dating app. Christopher Peter Reynolds, residing in Davies Close, appeared before District Judge Angela Brereton at Yeovil Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the requirements on 16 January 2025.

The court heard that Reynolds, who is subject to lifelong sex offender notifications due to a prior conviction, created an account on Grindr under the alias 'I (heart emoji) BJ (water emoji)'. This username alluded to sexual preferences, and he engaged with other users on the app, which is primarily used by gay, bi, trans, and queer adults, for three days. What began as an attempt to combat loneliness and enjoy 'good banter' quickly escalated into sexual conversation, according to details presented in court.

Prosecutor Giles Tippett highlighted the seriousness of the breach, noting that Reynolds had been previously cautioned by police for a similar incident in November 2024. 'Despite this, here he was again, using an alias name online without registering it, but says he has now taken onboard what he has been told,' Tippett stated. The concern was that such actions undermined the monitoring requirements designed to protect the public.

Defending solicitor Sally Donaldson argued that there was no risk to others, as users on the site typically do not reveal real identities. She explained, 'He is living alone and there was an element of loneliness involved, and he just wanted some company. However there was an element of sexual banter, but there was no risk of an individual being identified as nobody uses their own name on these sites.' Donaldson added that Reynolds had only used the app briefly and had otherwise complied with his conditions.

District Judge Brereton described the breach as deliberate, given the prior warning. She imposed a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, on the condition that Reynolds commits no further offences. He was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £40 in costs. This case was reported by the Chard & Ilminster News, with court proceedings held at Yeovil Magistrates' Court.