A CONVICTED sex offender from Hampshire who attended the Isle of Wight Festival while illegally in possession of a mobile phone, faces a possible jail term.

Shane Berry, of Short Street, Ludgershall, admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by possessing a mobile telephone, at Seaclose Park, Newport, on June 16.

The SHPO was made by a judge at Salisbury Crown Court on May 13, 2016, following Berry's conviction for three sexual offences.

Under the order, Berry is prohibited from accessing any device with internet capability.

Berry was also handed a two-year suspended sentence order (SSO).

At the festival, Berry was arrested for an unrelated matter. 

On further investigation, the police became aware the 30-year-old was subject to an SHPO and found an iPhone in his possession, said Anisa Alrubaie, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court. 

For Berry, Oscar Vincent said his client had completed the SSO successfully and that following his arrest, he immediately contacted his offender manager to report what happened.

Mr Vincent said the iPhone in question was a "barely functional" older model — for texting only — given by his brother to stay in touch.

Magistrates ordered a report on Berry, to cover all sentencing options, including custody, and bailed him to reappear for sentencing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on August 25.