Sheffield paedophile jailed for breaching court order

Joseph Patrick Hallam, aged 66, was the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order after serving previous custodial sentences for sexually abusing children.

It meant he had to abide by a set of strict conditions in a bid to reduce the opportunity he had to commit further offences.

But Sheffield Crown Court heard Hallam, of Aukland Rise, Halfway, breached the order by using internet chat rooms to try to talk to girls under the age of 16.

Detective Sergeant Karen Whitehouse, who works for the team that manages registered sex offenders in South Yorkshire, said: “Hallam is subject to strict conditions under his Sexual Offences Prevention Order and he has served custodial sentences in the past for sexually abusing children.

“He came to our attention again last year when we discovered he had been using internet chat rooms to attempt to engage with girls under 16-years-old.

“He has accepted responsibility for his crime and pleaded guilty, but the significant sentence handed to him for breaching his order demonstrates just how serious this crime is."

Offenders monitored by police officers are subject to regular checks, including their internet use.

They can be visited by officers at home at any time of the day.