A self-proclaimed misogynist who posed a risk to women in Cheltenham has been handed a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Victor Valentine, 29, of St Pauls, was given the order at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday, despite not having been convicted of any sexual offences.
Background and risk posed
The court heard Valentine is a self-proclaimed misogynist and member of an online "incel" ("involuntarily celibate") group, with a history of unprovoked violence towards women in public. He has also repeatedly breached the terms of numerous civil orders imposed on him, Gloucestershire Live reports.
A sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) is a court order designed to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting the behaviour of people deemed to pose a risk.
Conditions of the order
Valentine is now prohibited from using a computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless: he has notified the police Violent and Sex Offender Register [ViSOR] team within three days of acquiring any device; he registers the device with the police ViSOR team; the device can retain and display the history of internet use, is set to retain it at all times and no history is deleted; location data is turned on at all times and no location data is deleted; and he makes the device immediately available for inspection by a police officer or member of police staff on request.
Valentine is also prohibited from owning or possessing more than one internet-enabled device at any 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. He is also banned from entering, using or loitering near female public toilets, changing rooms or female-only spaces for any reason.
Duration and police response
The order is in place until August 25, 2031. Valentine could be arrested if he breaches any of its conditions and, if convicted, could face up to five years in prison.
Detective Sergeant Paul Howell, from Gloucestershire Police'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 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.
"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."
