A 29-year-old man described by police as having misogynistic views and posing a risk to women has been banned from entering or loitering around female public toilets, changing rooms and other women-only spaces in the United Kingdom. Get latest updates here on Our Whatsapp channel here
The man, identified as Victor Valentine from the St Paul’s area of Cheltenham, was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on August 24, despite never being convicted of a sexual offence.
The court heard that Valentine is a self-proclaimed misogynist and a member of an online incel group. Police also said he has a history of unprovoked violence against women in public and has repeatedly breached the conditions of several civil orders imposed on him.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order is a preventative measure used to protect members of the public by placing restrictions on individuals considered to pose a risk of sexual harm.
The order against Valentine will remain in place until August 25, 2031.
Under the conditions, Valentine is prohibited from using a computer or any other internet-enabled device unless he complies with a number of requirements imposed by police.
He must notify the police VISOR team within three days of obtaining a device and register it with them. Any device he uses must be capable of retaining and displaying his internet-use history, while the history must be preserved without data being deleted.
Location services must also remain switched on, with location data not deleted. Valentine must make the device available for police inspection whenever requested.
He is also prohibited from possessing more than one internet-enabled device at any given time.
The order further prevents him from having a registered guest or alias account on a specified incel website or any other online platform, forum, chatroom or application that promotes or facilitates incel-related ideology or content.
Valentine has also been banned from entering, using or loitering near female public toilets, changing rooms or other female-only spaces for any reason.
Police said violating the conditions of the order could lead to his arrest and a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Detective Sergeant Paul Howell of Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit said: “Valentine is well-known for his misogynistic hostility and violence towards women, and we are pleased to have secured this SHPO against him.
“Even though Valentine has not been convicted of any s3xual offences, this is a preventative measure to keep women and girls in the county safe from harm. This order will reduce Valentine’s ability to further explore his ideology and gives police the opportunity to monitor his behaviour in the community to help reduce his risk of further offending.
“Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary and we will do all we can to prevent crimes, bring offenders to justice, and protect women and girls.”
The restrictions will remain in force for five years, during which police will be able to monitor Valentine’s compliance with the order.