A MAN subject to a sexual harm prevention order has avoided jail despite deleting his internet search history while banned from doing so.

Steven Moore, of Central Road, Rudheath, appeared at Chester Crown Court on July 21 for sentencing after pleading guilty to the court order breach at hearing in June.

The court heard the 53-year-old had been made the subject of the sexual harm prevention order at Chester in April 2021.

Such orders can ban people from having devices capable of accessing the internet unless advance warning is given to police.

Any device which is permitted to be used must be able to retain internet search history and the order subjects must not delete said history.

Moore was found to have deleted the internet search history on a mobile phone in Ellesmere Port on May 20 this year.

Judge Simon Berkson sentenced Moore to six months in jail, but suspended the term for 12 months.

He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work and up to a maximum of 20 days rehabilitation activity.

Moore was also ordered to pay court costs of £420 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a surcharge of £154.