An Isle of Wight man has been spared prison after failing to register his bank card with the police, part of the stringent Sex Offenders' Register (SOR) obligations.

On May 20, 2022, Luke Targett, of Bonchurch Shute, Ventnor, was handed an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, after he admitted possession of extreme pornographic images, between March 2019 and August 2020.

He also admitted making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child. 

A Class A image of a child was the most depraved kind and depicted a boy being raped. 

Targett's punishment included 100 hours of unpaid work, now completed, and a suspended sentence.

It was breached on July 8, 2023 — when Targett was late to declare possession of a bank card that had been issued in May, said Nick Mather, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court. 

On August 1, 60-year-old Targett admitted to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the SOR — to which he is subject for ten years.

A probation report concluded it had been an oversight, rather than "wilful non-compliance," but considered he posed a medium risk of harm to children.

On August 30, recorder Richard Stead considered whether the failure was enough to trigger the SSO.

Unrepresented, Targett said: "I'm new to this situation and misunderstood the rules."

In June 2022, a police caution was issued for an offence involving a credit card, court heard.

Targett said: "Since my conviction, I've lost my home, career and income.

"I took my eye off the ball — making a significant oversight. I let myself down. I'm genuinely sorry.

"I'm not deliberately trying to avoid detection. I've updated my registration 11 times within the past year.

"I'd love to continue building my business to serve my many customers."

Targett was asked what the nature of his business is but he declined to answer, on the grounds media publication may damage it.  

He was fined £500, handed a further 30 hours' unpaid work and warned: "Do not let this happen again...or you will go to prison."