Convicted Blackburn rapist jailed for creating social media account

Mather, 23, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty
Mather, 23, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty
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A CONVICTED rapist breached requirements of the sex offender register by using a different name to open a social media account.

Blackburn magistrates heard James David Lee Mather had made a friend request to a female under the name James Lee.

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And when police challenged him he denied having the device on which the request had been made but eventually handed over a Blackberry.

Mather, 23, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. He was jailed for four weeks.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mather had been jailed for 10 years in 2007 for raping a male under the age of 16 and a 13 year old girl.

Miss Allan said Mather had been instructed that if he was using any name other than Mather on any social networking site he would have to register it with the police within three days.

Gareth Price, defending, said Mather had not changed his name he had just used part of it.

“This wasn’t a sophisticated or determined attempt by him to circumvent the rules,” said Mr Price. “He knew his internet use was being monitored by staff at the hostel.”

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