A CONVICTED sex offender who attended the Isle of Wight Festival while illegally in possession of a mobile phone has been spared jail.

Shane Berry, of Short Street, Ludgershall, appeared before Basingstoke magistrates on August 25.

At a previous hearing, the 30-year-old 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 in July. 

Berry was handed a 24-month community order, to include 35 rehabilitation days and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £114 surcharge.