Denbighshire sex offender downloaded 'dark web' browser

A CONVICTED sex offender from Denbigh breached his sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) three times and failed to comply with his notification requirements.

Daniel Johnson, 37, of Maes Cantorion, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Mold Crown Court today (March 19).

He had previously admitted failing to comply with sex offenders register notification requirements, and three counts of breaching a SOPO.

Prosecutor Simon Parry said Johnson was jailed for three years and four months at Leeds Crown Court in 2015 after being convicted of sexual activity with a child.

Johnson was also issued with a SOPO, which was amended in July 2018 to run indefinitely.

He then notified police of his change of address in May 2025, six days after he had relocated.

This constituted a failure to comply with notification requirements, as police must be told of any address changes within three days – he said he thought he had seven days to do so.

In January 2025, Johnson was the subject of a usual police visit, in connection with him being a registered sex offender.

But when an officer checked his mobile phone, they discovered he had downloaded an internet browser called TOR, which is often used to facilitate entry on to the “dark web”.

This placed him in breach of the SOPO, as this browser also does not retain internet history.

Johnson then refused to allow police into his property in October 2025 – officers then found he had taken out a new phone contract the June.

When police visited Johnson again in December 2025, he did not provide the passcode to his phone, meaning the officer could not examine it.

Representing Johnson, Jade Tufail asked for his “timely guilty pleas” to be acknowledged.

Ms Tufail said Johnson has “not committed any substantive offences since 2015,” and said the SOPO breaches followed “a long period of compliance” with the order.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts told Johnson he had shown a “carelessness in complying with orders,” and said his SOPO breaches were “serious and persistent” in nature.

But Judge Petts deemed Johnson to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, which he said “outweighs the need for immediate imprisonment”.

“Your fate is in your hands,” Judge Petts added to him.

A deprivation order was made in respect of Johnson’s electronic devices.