A 62 year-old man was warned today that if he breaches the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) or accesses images on the internet of children being sexually abused again he will be sent to prison.
The warning was issued to John Flynn, from University Street in Belfast, by Judge Geoffrey Miller QC, who told the defendant he had a "sexual entitlement attitude".
Flynn - who appeared before Belfast Crown Court with 78 previous convictions - admitted breaching the terms of a SOPO in January 2016 and again the following June.
Branding the breaches as "deliberate and calculated", Flynn was handed a two-year prison sentence that was suspended for three years by Judge Miller.
Urging Flynn to continue engaging with agencies and attending courses designed to address his offending, Judge Miller said: "You are an intelligent man who knows what your issues are and you know how to address them. This is your final opportunity to address these issues."
A Crown prosecutor explained the SOPO was initially imposed in November 2011 after Flynn appeared at Newry court. One of the terms of the order banned Flynn from deleting his internet usage history.
He was also banned from owning or using a mobile phone that had internet access without the approval of a Designated Risk Manager.
Prosecutor Simon Jenkins said that on January 7, 2016 police called at Flynn's address for a routine visit, and that when an officer examined Flynn's laptop, he was unable to find any internet access history.
The laptop was removed and examined, and a total of 15 indecent images of children were located. Mr Jenkins also revealed search terms on the laptop were "indicative of an interest in children or images of child abuse."
The court heard that on June 28 last year, officers returned for another random check at Flynn's home. He was asked if he had any electronic devices that had not been approved by his Designated Risk Manager, and a mobile phone and tablet were seized.
When he was arrested and interviewed, Flynn said he was aware of the terms of his SOPO and that he should have informed his risk manager about the devices. When quizzed about the images, Flynn initially denied accessing child pornography and instead claimed the images had popped up when he was searching for adult porn.
Flynn later admitted two counts of breaching the SOPO, and 14 counts of possessing an indecent image of a child.
Defence barrister Con O'Neill accepted that whilst his client had a relevant criminal record, he said Flynn's offending has "greatly dissipated" - especially since he is "well monitored and regulated."
Passing sentence, Judge Miller said Flynn appeared in court with "no excuse for not appreciating the consequences of his actions" and appeared to display a "sexual entitlement attitude."
The Judge also noted the "serious abuse" the children in the images are subjected to, adding the "pain, discomfort and fear suffered by the children" was for the "perverted pleasure" of those looking at the material.
