A man who publicly accused a local woman of being a paedophile and child abuser has been made subject to an interim Sexual Risk Order (SRO) at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that the man, named in proceedings as Ian Andrew Ord, also known locally in connection with “Atlas Gym”, had repeatedly posted and shared serious allegations online, accusing the woman of offences including child abuse, taking photographs of children and downloading indecent images.

Those allegations were not supported by any evidence and left the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, living in fear and facing a wave of online abuse and trolling.

Devices seized and Category B material alleged

Cleveland Police told the court that, during their investigation, officers seized several electronic devices from Ord. The court was told that an examination of those devices uncovered material classified as Category B, involving indecent images of children and content relating to sexual abuse of both vulnerable children and animals.

The material was described in court as serious in nature. The interim Sexual Risk Order was applied for on the basis of that evidence and the risk it was said to pose to the public.

As part of the order, Ord must register his details with police within three days. The court also heard that he is prohibited from accessing internet-enabled devices or using social media while the interim order remains in force.

‘Terrified to leave the house’ – impact on victim of false claims

The woman targeted by Ord’s allegations attended the hearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and later described the impact the ordeal has had on her life.

She said the public accusations and online posts left her “terrified to leave the house for fear of being photographed” and frightened to have her own grandchildren visit her home.

She also said she had been subjected to threats of stalking and physical harm, and that people who believed the false claims joined in with public humiliation and trolling on social media.

Addressing those who amplified the allegations online, she said they were “no better” than the man who started them, and thanked family, friends and followers of her page who had stood by her and sent messages of support.

False allegations and online abuse

The court was told that Ord had used social media and public posts to accuse the woman and others of being “nonces” and paedophiles, despite having no evidence to support those claims.

The woman said the campaign of allegations had turned her life upside down, leaving her reputation attacked in public and her mental wellbeing badly affected.

She said she could not understand why a grown man would spread what she described as “hate and lies” about an innocent person, adding that the experience had shown her both the worst and the best of people online.

Conditions of the interim Sexual Risk Order

Under the interim Sexual Risk Order, Ord must:

• Register his details with police within three days.
• Comply with restrictions on access to internet-enabled devices.
• Abide by conditions limiting his use of social media and online platforms.

Sexual Risk Orders are civil orders that can be imposed by a court where it is satisfied that an individual poses a risk of sexual harm, even if they have not been convicted of a sexual offence. Breach of an SRO is a criminal offence and can lead to imprisonment.

The order imposed at Teesside Magistrates’ Court is currently interim, pending further consideration of a full Sexual Risk Order at a later hearing.

Support and next steps

Following the hearing, the woman thanked her family, friends and supporters for standing by her throughout the case, and for continuing to challenge the false allegations made against her.

She said the experience had been “devastating” but that the court action and the interim order had brought some sense of relief after months of fear and uncertainty.

A further court date is expected to be set for the full Sexual Risk Order application to be heard in due course.