Victor Valentine, a 29-year-old from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has been issued a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday (August 24). The order bans him from loitering near women's toilets and imposes strict conditions on his internet use.
Court hears of misogyny and past breaches
The court was told that Valentine is a self-confessed misogynist and a member of an online incel group, with a history of unprovoked aggression towards women in public places. He has also repeatedly violated the terms of numerous Civil Orders previously given to him.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order is a court order designed to safeguard the public from sexual harm by limiting the actions of those considered to pose a risk, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Strict internet and location conditions
Valentine is now banned from using a computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless he has notified the police VISOR team within three days of acquiring any device, registered the device with the VISOR team, and ensured the device retains and displays internet history without deletion. The device must also have location data turned on at all times, with no location data deleted, and must be made immediately available for inspection by a police officer or police staff employee on request.
He is also forbidden from owning or possessing more than one internet-enabled device at a time and 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.
Ban from female-only spaces
Valentine is prohibited from entering, using, or loitering near a female public toilet, changing room, or female-only space for any reason. The order remains in effect until August 25, 2031, and a breach of any condition could lead to his arrest and up to five years in prison.
Detective Sergeant Paul Howell from the Public Protection Unit stated: "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 sexual 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."
He added: "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."
