A WINCHESTER sex offender broke a court order by acquiring mobile phones.

Dean Mould was handed a prison sentence but is set for release very soon as he has spent six months in prison on remand, a court heard.

Mould, 38, formerly of Wolfe Close, Stanmore, pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The SHPO had been imposed in 2020 for offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Anthony Waller, prosecuting at Winchester Crown Court, said Mould had acquired two phones capable of accessing the internet without telling the police.

On December 3 last year he contacted the police to tell them he had a smartphone, the first breach of the order. He was bailed to January 27 but did not attend the station so officers went to his home the following day and found another smartphone, the second offence.

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Mould then refused to give the officers the PIN number, the third breach.

Richard Martin, mitigating, described Mould as "child-like" and added he presented problems for probation: "Probation have reached the end of the line. When you read the report from doctors they are concerned about this defendant's future conduct but that is not something you can take into account in the current sentencing. It would be wrong to keep him in custody (simply) because there is no management plan in place unless he is a dangerous offender."

Mr Martin said Mould had "significant personal issues" that were not treatable. "Further in-patient treatment could be counter-productive which is the last thing anyone wants".

The court heard discussion about whether Mould could be released last Friday but it was not certain that emergency accommodation could be found.

Judge Adam Feest KC it was better that before Mould is released preparations are made for him not to be homeless and be closely supported by probation.

The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison. As Mould has been in jail since January 30 he will be released soon.