Offender's Online Alias Breaches Legal Order
A convicted sex offender has found himself back before the courts after failing to inform police he was using the online alias 'Horny Master'. Niall Griffiths, aged 33, was already subject to strict legal restrictions due to his previous convictions.
History of Sexual Offences and Court Order
Griffiths was originally given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2016. This order was imposed after he pleaded guilty to two offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. As part of his sentencing, he was also placed on the sex offenders' register.
This registration carries a crucial requirement: he must notify the police of any new names or aliases he uses within a strict three-day period.
Routine Police Visit Uncovers Breach
The breach came to light on September 3, when officers conducted a routine, unannounced visit to his home on Anchor Road in Longton. During an inspection of his mobile phone, they discovered he had created a profile using the user name 'Horny Master'.
Prosecutor Helen Shipley told North Staffordshire Justice Centre that Griffiths admitted the account had existed for 'probably months'. She also revealed there was another Only Fans account he had not registered for a couple of months.
While Griffiths did attend Longton Police Station on September 4 to register the names, this was after the discovery and well outside the legally mandated three-day window.
Previous Breaches and Mitigating Circumstances
The court was informed that this was not Griffiths' first breach of a court order. He had previously breached the SHPO in 2021 by using the DuckDuckGo app, which allows devices to not retain internet history.
However, Simon Dykes, acting in mitigation, stressed that his client had no previous breaches of the notification requirements specifically. He described the offence as 'a bit of naivety', stating the aliases were user names on legitimate websites.
Dykes added that Griffiths had co-operated with the officers during their visit and had now accepted the error of his ways. The court heard that Griffiths is a single man living with his parents, struggles to find work, and is trying to secure his own accommodation.
Sentencing and Financial Penalties
Griffiths pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. Magistrates handed down a financial penalty, fining him £80. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 surcharge.
