Leeds sex offender locked up over letter sent to prisoner
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A court heard Nathan Belsham breached a sexual offences prevention order by sending the letter to the inmate.
Leeds Crown Court heard prison authorities launched an investigation earlier this year when they discovered the letter. It was feared it had been written by a child because of the way it was worded.
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Hide AdFelicity Hemlin, prosecuting, said enquiries revealed that the letter had been written by Belsham who posted it to the serving prisoner.
The court heard the prisoner is currently serving a 24-year prison sentence for serious sex offences against a young girl.
Belsham, of Clyde Grange, Armley, pleaded guilty to breach of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). Belsham was convicted of a sex offence in 2011 and was made the subject of an order which prohibited him from doing a number of things.
One of the conditions was not to have contact with follow sex offenders. Miss Hemlin said Belsham had also breached his order on five previous occasions. They included contacting an 11-year-old on Facebook, failing to notify police of a change of address and being found in a flat with a known sex offender.
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Hide AdMichael Walsh, mitigating, said: “The defendant has placed himself in a very difficult position. He has been very, very foolish.”
Belsham was sent to prison for 12 months. Judge James Spencer, QC, said: “This is not your first, nor your second, nor even your third breach of the order imposed upon you.
“You have been dealt with so leniently for breaches of the order but you have run out of time now. You have to understand that when the order is made by the court you have to observe it.
“It is not for you to pick and choose about it.”
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