Paedophile Leeds pensioner with two decades of offending breached social media ban
He breached a court order designed to shackle his internet use
An ageing paedophile has been hauled back before the courts for using social media after being handed a lengthy ban.
Lee Benson has twice been caught seeking out child-abuse material - in 2005 and 2021 - and on both occasions escaped with suspended sentences.
But he was put under a strict sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to curb his internet use.
Under the terms of the order, the 68-year-old is not permitted to use social media or use a private browser.
Leeds Crown Court heard that during a routine inspection at his home in October 2024, it was found on a Samsung Galaxy tablet that he had downloaded LivU, a social media site.
After further investigation of the device he had also downloaded other chat apps and had used a private browser. He had also used Instagram.
Benson, of Ringway, Garforth, admits three breaches of the SHPO during a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today.
He has two previous convictions for 15 offences, all linked to child-abuse images.
Benson had been given the 10-year SHPO in 2021.
Mitigating, Ian Hudson said that despite breaching the SHPO, there was no evidence Benson was seeking out further child-abuse material.
He said he was a carer for his 96-year-old mother, with whom he lived.
Judge Simon Batiste said Benson could have “no complaints” if he jailed him, “given his history”.
He told him: “You have been given chances in the past and in some ways, in effect, you have thrown that back in the court’s face.
“Having said that, there’s no direct evidence that you have been visiting any sites with children, or beyond the SHPO, been doing anything illegal.”
Benson was given a third suspended sentence - 16 months suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days with probation and 160 hours of unpaid work.
Benson was told he will remain in the SHPO.