Jonathan Deric Stuart

Jonathan Deric Stuart, a 36-year-old high-risk registered sex offender, was apprehended in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, following a search by Durham Constabulary officers and their specialist police dog, PD Louie.

The incident occurred last October when officers conducted a welfare check at Stuart's residence. During the search, PD Louie, a digi-dog trained to detect electronic devices, sniffed out a mobile phone concealed in a drawer. The dog also located several covert USB pens disguised as lighters and hard drives hidden in the property. These items were seized by police, and subsequent examination revealed they contained indecent images of children, in violation of Stuart's Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Stuart was arrested on the spot and charged with multiple breaches of his SHPO. He was remanded into custody pending trial. Initially set to contest the charges, Stuart changed his plea to guilty shortly before the hearing. On 3 April 2024, he appeared before Durham Crown Court, where Judge Howard Crowson sentenced him to two years' imprisonment. The court also ordered the destruction of the seized devices to prevent further misuse.

PC Dan Cuthbertson, the handler of PD Louie, praised the dog's role in the operation, noting that Louie was rewarded with his favourite ball after the successful find. A spokesperson from the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders Unit at Durham Constabulary highlighted the importance of digi-dogs in tackling such cases, stating: “The use of our digital dogs is a massive asset to our unit because it identifies those dishonest people who try to feed their offending behaviour by hiding devices from being examined. Now with this support, we can address this head on and it further enhances the way we can keep the public safe.”

This arrest is part of a broader initiative by Durham Constabulary, which recently introduced digi-dogs to its canine unit. These specialised animals join existing dogs trained to detect drugs, weapons, and cash. In recent months, the force has used them to arrest three registered sex offenders by uncovering hidden devices storing illegal material. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to monitor and enforce compliance with SHPOs in the region.