Derry man who breached Sexual Offences Prevention Order sentenced

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court for breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO)

Gary North (40) of Kingsmere Gardens in Derry was charged with breaching the order on January 1 last year.

The court was told a SOPO had been imposed that lasted until September 2026.

Police searched a house and recovered 4 phones with some of them being Internet enabled which is contrary to the order.

North made no comment when interviewed. 

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Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said the defendant had been arrested in January and the phones had to be triage.

She said as a result North was then re-sentenced for the original charge and given 5 months custody. 

The barrister said there had been no further incidents.

Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne said that the defendant had shown he could stay out of trouble. 

But he said as 'a reminder' to North that he had to abide by conditions he would impose a sentence of two months suspended for 18 months.