The owner of a games memorabilia shop banned from having contact with children has been jailed after organising events for young people.
Mark Richard Phillips, 59, was arrested after concerns were raised about his unsupervised contact with children under 16 at his business at The Nurd Shop on Forton Road, Gosport.
Parents had been told of 'suspicious comments and behaviours' by Phillips when he was alone with children, and they then told the police.
Phillips, of Forton Road, had been banned from contact with young children under the terms of a sexual harm prevention order imposed in 2016 at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Hampshire police arrested him in August last year over the concerns and he was charged with breaching the order.
Phillips was jailed for two years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday after admitting breaching the sexual harm prevention order.
Offender Manager Mathew Lawn who investigated the case said: ”Thankfully no children were harmed by Phillips’ actions, however it was clear that by organising events for young children in his business premises which was clearly a breach of his SHPO, that he had no intention of following the conditions of the order.
“Police were alerted by concerned parents after their children reported suspicious comments and behaviours from Phillips when he was the only adult present.
“I’m pleased that the court has taken this breach so seriously. It brings reassurance for the local community and sends a clear message that anyone found to breaching the conditions of an order they are subject to will face a significant custodial sentence”.
Phillips had claimed the open door to his shop was a public space.
A police spokesperson added: "He suggested that as the door to the premises was open it was a public space, but the court saw his actions that had been reported to police were clearly a serious breach of his SHPO."
He must pay a £187 victim surcharge.
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