Gosport man jailed for two years for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

A 59 year-old man from Gosport has been jailed for two years for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Mark Richard Phillips of Forton Road was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 1 March.

The court heard that Phillips, who was subject to a SHPO, was arrested in August 2023 after concerns were raised about unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 at his business premises on Forton Road, the Nurd Shop.

He suggested that as the door to the premises was open it was a public space, but the court saw his actions that had been reported to police were clearly a serious breach of his SHPO.

Offender Manager Mathew Lawn who investigated the case said: ”Thankfully no children were harmed by Phillips’ actions, however it was clear that by organising events for young children in his business premises which was clearly a breach of his SHPO, that he had no intention of following the conditions of the order.

“Police were alerted by concerned parents after their children reported suspicious comments and behaviours from Phillips when he was the only adult present.

“I’m pleased that the court has taken this breach so seriously. It brings reassurance for the local community and sends a clear message that anyone found to breaching the conditions of an order they are subject to will face a significant custodial sentence”.