Sex offender was going to Bury to 'have relationship with teenager'

Callum Cox, 23, has a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) with a number of conditions and prohibitions.

He told police on a home compliance visit that he did not have a mobile phone, access to the internet or social media.  

But just 10 days later, Lancashire Police, working with Greater Manchester Police, discovered Cox had been travelling to Bury and engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Cox, of The Grove, Oswaldwistle, was arrested, and a mobile phone was seized.

Specialist officers carried out searches of Cox’s mobile phones, where they found that he had "intentionally deceived the police in an effort to pursue multiple relationships with women online", including with a 17-year-old girl.

It was found he had travelled out of Lancashire in attempt to avoid detection.

Cox was charged with seven breaches of his SHPO and sex offender notification requirements. He plead guilty to four of the charges.

On Monday, March 18, Cox was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court to two years and seven months for breaching his SHPO.

An application to amend the existing SHPO will be heard at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 10.

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Detective Constable Gemma Anderson, of Lancashire Police, said: “Cox is a serious risk to women, and I welcome the custodial sentence handed down on him this week.

“Cox is a registered sex offender with a sexual harm prevention order.

"He chose to ignore that order, and pursue relationships with not only a number of women, but a 17-year-old girl too.

“If you have been a victim of a crime, please contact us. We will listen to you, we will believe you and we will support you.”