West Midlands Police say a Coventry man was jailed for two years after refusing to provide a phone PIN despite a legal notice requiring him to do so. The court also imposed a long-term Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
A convicted child sex offender from Coventry has been jailed for two years after refusing to provide the PIN for a mobile phone, West Midlands Police said.
In a statement, the force said Stanley Heames, 41, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on 3 February after admitting an offence linked to failing to comply with a legal disclosure notice.
Police said officers had recovered a phone during a warrant at his address and later served a notice requiring him to provide access to it. They said he refused to hand over the PIN, despite the notice, and was then charged. Police said he admitted failing to comply.
The case highlights how police can use legal powers to try to access devices during investigations, and that refusing to comply with a lawful disclosure requirement can itself be a criminal offence.
Background and restrictions
West Midlands Police said Heames is a convicted child sex offender and was jailed in 2017 for sexual offences against a child.
Police said the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 20 years. In their summary, police said the order includes strict conditions, including limits on contact with children and requirements relating to mobile phones and access codes.
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