A SEX offender who failed to register a tablet computer and a hard drive with the police in breach of a court order was told “start taking responsibility for your life”.

Michael Sherwood, 43, admitted twice breaching a sexual harm prevention order put in place to monitor his use of electronic devices.

Ipswich Crown Court heard he was hit with the order after he was convicted of possessing indecent images of children in May 2017.

The order required him to register any devices capable of accessing the internet or storing digital images with the police.

But the court heard Sherwood, of Sheepen Place, Colchester, was caught committing two breaches in 2020.

When police conducted a search of his home in December 2020, they found an unregistered tablet computer and a hard drive.

The court was told he had told the police about the tablet earlier that year, when he was subjected to a polygraph test, but he claimed he was unable to find it.

Police were unable to access the home he shared with his parents until December due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Judge Emma Peters said: “It just shows how valuable these polygraph tests can be when people like you avoid telling the truth about these things.

“You told the police you were unable to find it. They were able to find it under your bed.”

The court heard he had been using the hard drive to store games for his Xbox.

Donal Lawler, mitigating, said Sherwood’s brother had given him the tablet computer.

“His main problem in all my discussions with him is a certain passivity, not taking control of things,” he said.

Sherwood was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with conditions to complete a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a programme designed for sex offenders.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Peters added: “It seems this might get you out of the house, away from sitting in front of an Xbox all day.

“Start taking responsibility for your life, Mr Sherwood.”

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