Registered sex offender caught red-handed in breach of sexual harm prevention order

A registered sex offender will now spend 40 months behind bars after being caught breaching his sexual harm prevention order and possessing indecent images of children.

Graham Phillips, 63, of Bridge Close in Staines-upon-Thames, was caught in the act by officers in our High Harm Perpetrator Unit who were monitoring him, after he was seen speaking to three children on the banks of the River Thames near Staines Town Centre on 26 August 2022.

After being arrested, officers were able to determine that he had been regularly trying to communicate with three 12-year-old boys whilst they were on summer holidays.

Phillips's mobile devices were also searched, and separate indecent images of children were discovered. He was remanded in prison and pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual harm prevention order and possessing indecent images of children. At his sentencing on Friday 17 February at Guildford Crown Court, the judge sentenced him to 40 months behind bars.

Detective Inspector Ellen McLachlan who leads the High Harm Perpetrator Unit at Staines said; "The quick and successful apprehension of Mr Phillips before his offending could escalate, is a great example of the dedication and proactive policing work done by the High Harm Perpetrator Unit. We take breaches of prevention orders extremely seriously and will act quickly and decisively to keep the residents of Surrey as safe as possible."

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