A HEREFORD sex offender has been sent to the crown court after he was caught searching the internet in incognito mode.

David Brown admitted one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in January.

The 74-year-old had been made subject to the order in 2021, prosecutor Mark Hambling told the court, with a condition that he must not use devices capable of accessing the internet unless they retain his browsing history.

But, the court heard, Brown had admitted to police on September 26 that he had been using his phone to access the internet.

"The browser was set to incognito mode, which allows private browsing, and he really should not have that on that device," Mr Hambling said, telling the court that it was a deliberate breach.

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Mr Hambling said he was asking for the case to be sent to the crown court for sentencing as it is not Brown's first breach of the order.

"He was sentenced to eight months in prison on the last breach," Mr Hambling said.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Brown, said that he would say he was not aware that the phone was in incognito mode, but that it was not a defence.

"I would ask for a pre-sentencing report to be ordered," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"He is at risk of custody and is in ill health, and he has a lot to lose if he is sent to prison again, as he has been given accommodation and will lose that."

Magistrates sent the case to the crown court for sentencing and ordered a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by the probation service.

Brown, who is of Roman Road in Hereford, will appear before Worcester Crown Court for sentencing on February 8.

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