A HIGH-RISK registered sex offender has been jailed for more than three years after breaching a court order aimed at stopping him from accessing indecent images of children online.

Richard Over, 43, of Marazion reportedly told Devon and Cornwall Police “I’m an idiot,” after he was caught with a forbidden tablet hidden under his duvet. A search history-concealing internet browser and dark web software were found installed on the device.

Over was originally convicted of making indecent images of children in 2017 and again in 2024 - for which he received suspended prison sentences. He was also made the subject of a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in December 2023.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team arrested Over following a visit to his home in April 2026. He admitted five breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order between December 17, 2025 and April 5, 2026 and was sentenced to three years and two months in prison at Truro Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

The court heard Over had been convicted of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on seven occasions since September 2023, and had also breached his registered sex offender notification requirements seven times in the same period.

The judge was told Over had been barred from buying or using any device capable of accessing the internet without first notifying police. The Sexual Harm Prevention Order also stipulated any such device should be able to retain and display its online history.

Over was also prohibited from deleting his internet search history and required to make any devices available for officers to inspect. The order also banned him from using any software which enables anonymous online activity and from password-protecting any devices or files without permission.

An unannounced visit by officers to Over’s home on Sunday, April 5 uncovered a PIN-locked tablet hidden under his duvet. When officers unlocked the device, a private internet browser and gateway application to access the dark web were found installed on it. Over told officers he “didn’t use” the private browser and the dark web application was “for checking about the war”.

Following the court case Police Constable Ross Waite said: “This offender made a sustained and deliberate effort to bypass strict court orders designed to protect children and limit his access to the internet.

“Despite being fully aware of the restrictions placed upon him, he chose to conceal a device, install software to hide his online activity, and attempt to access the darkest corners of the internet.

“Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are in place to manage risk and safeguard the public, particularly the most vulnerable. Breaching them is not a technicality – it is a serious offence that demonstrates a clear disregard for the law and for the safety of others.

“We will continue to robustly monitor and pursue those who attempt to evade these restrictions and take swift action to bring them before the courts.”