A WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE sex offender who breached a court order for the third time when he refused to let the police check his computer equipment was jailed for ten months.

Glenn Richards, 36, of Pitman Place, Wotton, admitted breaching a sex offenders prevention order when he appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, February 20.

Richards had been convicted of having sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl in 2010 and a further charge of grooming and had been placed on a sex offenders prevention order until further notice.

Crown prosecutor Caighi Taylor told the court: "The defendant was prohibited from having computer devices capable of accessing the Internet and police called on a routine visit on December 3 last year but he refused to grant them access."

Defence barrister Salema Mahmoud said: "My client suffers from Aspergers Syndrome and reacts differently to certain situations.

"He was embarrassed by the police visit and reacted accordingly."

Recorder Paul Grumbar said: "It must have been clear to you how you should comply with this order – you are an intelligent man.

"The issue is straightforward. You have had two previous breaches and your probation officer says that you pose a high risk."