TWO men from Cheltenham have been handed Sexual Risk Orders, the first to be issued in Gloucestershire since their introduction last year.

Alex Sheerin, 26, of Whaddon Road and Lewis Hawker, 30, of Alstone Court, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Friday (October 21), where the decision was made.

The court issued the orders after it heard compelling information that the men had been involved in sexually exploiting a teenage girl and engaging in sexual activity with her on at least one occasion.

The orders will last for five years and prohibit the men from contacting the teenage girl, either in person or via any phone or social media channels.

They are also banned from communicating with or contacting any girl under the age of 18 and from entering any school, college or educational premises for under 18-year-olds or from going within 50 metres of one.

Sheerin is also banned from contacting 12 other named girls, who are under 18 and at risk of child sexual exploitation.

The men could face a prison sentence of up to five years if they break the orders.

DCI Chris Hanson, of the constabulary’s Public Protection Bureau, said: “Sheerin and Hawker pose a danger to vulnerable teenage girls and I am releasing their details and photographs to help enforce the orders.

“We are committed to protecting vulnerable people in Gloucestershire.

“These Sexual Risk Orders are an extremely important tool to help protect other young teenagers from being exploited and are the first ones to be issued in the county.

“Securing them was a joint effort between the police and social care.

“We work together as one multi-agency team, sharing information and making the most of each other’s areas of expertise, this result highlights partnership working at its best.”