Sex offender jailed for secretly using banned Telegram app

A convicted sex offender from Pontypool has been sentenced after he secretly re-downloaded and deleted the Telegram app in breach of a court order designed to protect children.

Luke Foreshew, 29, of Raglan Close in Talywain, was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order in 2023 following multiple convictions for attempting sexual communication with a child. He received a three-year community order at the time.

The breach

Under the terms of his sexual harm prevention order, Foreshew was banned from deleting any internet history, data or files from his devices.

During a routine inspection of the defendant’s mobile phone at his Pontypool home on September 11, police discovered a message from August 14 containing a one-time passcode for accessing the Telegram app. However, the app itself was not on his phone.

Foreshew initially denied having used the app, but forensic analysis revealed it had been deleted and was last accessed on August 27.

Following this discovery, the defendant accepted he had deleted the app, telling police he used it to contact a friend before deleting it shortly after.

Judge’s comments

Sentencing at court, Judge Shomon Khan said: “We all know Telegram, how it’s often used. What he actually did is unclear.”

The judge added: “When you delete your history in this way, you are trying to hide what you are doing. You have got to recognise that you could easily be sentenced to prison if you continue this.”

Previous convictions

Foreshew has two previous convictions for eight offences, having also been sentenced in 2017 after being caught with child sex abuse images.

Mitigation

Defence lawyer Hilary Roberts told the court: “He was contacting a friend. When he stopped contacting a friend, he deleted it. The court should be careful in leaping to conclusions that aren’t actually justified in evidence.”

Mr Roberts said Foreshew was “doing well” in response to his community order, adding: “This defendant needs ongoing support.”

Sentence

Foreshew pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Khan sentenced him to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year. He must also complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £150 in costs.

The community order will remain in place.