A convicted paedophile has been handed a four-year prison sentence after he flagrantly ignored a court order and attempted to conceal his online activities. Khurram Rajput, aged 38, from Peterborough, was found to have used an encrypted chat platform multiple times, directly violating the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed on him.
Systematic Breaches of Court Order
Rajput utilised an encrypted chat service known as Chat IV on 28 separate occasions between July 3 and July 23, 2024. This platform is designed not to retain conversation histories, meaning such interactions do not appear in standard internet browsing records. The breaches came to light during a probation meeting held in Peterborough on July 23, 2024, where concerns were raised about his compliance with the SHPO.
Previous Conviction and Order Conditions
The Sexual Harm Prevention Order had been originally issued in May 2023 following Rajput's conviction for non-contact child sex offences. The order explicitly prohibited him from:
- Using any computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless it could retain and display internet history.
- Installing any encryption or data-wiping software on any device.
Investigations by Cambridgeshire Constabulary revealed that Rajput had not only used the encrypted chat room but had also deleted his internet history prior to July 2, 2024. Furthermore, he had installed a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on his Samsung mobile phone in June 2024, constituting another direct breach of the order's conditions.
Police Investigation and Sentencing
Following the seizure of his mobile phone, digital forensic analysis confirmed the absence of internet history and the use of the encrypted platform. Rajput pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the SHPO and was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Cambridge Crown Court on January 29, 2026.
Police Statement on the Case
After the sentencing, PC Emily Heriot of Cambridgeshire Constabulary commented: “Rajput knew full well the conditions of his SHPO so it’s great he’s now been brought to justice for these flagrant breaches. It shows both the police and courts won’t tolerate breaches of these orders, which are there to protect vulnerable people.”
The case underscores the serious consequences of violating court orders designed to protect the public, particularly vulnerable individuals, from sexual offenders. Authorities have emphasised their commitment to monitoring compliance and taking decisive action against those who attempt to circumvent legal restrictions.
