POLICE have secured court orders against two Carlisle men in an effort to prevent women suffering sexual harm – with sex workers specifically protected in one case.

The orders were approved by a district judge at Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court. Though the orders are not part of any criminal legal process, the two men who were made subject to them would be breaking the law if they were to flout the strict terms of either order.

On Wednesday, District Judge Gerald Chalk approved a two-year order against 23-year-old Carlisle man Ryan Batey, of Hebden Avenue, Carlisle. The order prohibits him from having any contact with sex workers.

Barrister Steven Reed told the judge that police had brought the application after previous allegations involving sex workers as victims were made against Batey.

On Tuesday, the same judge approved an order against Darrel Stephen Carter, 28, who said he opposed the making of the Sexual Risk Harm Order when he appeared at the city’s Rickergate court. But he accepted that he did not dispute the evidence submitted by Cumbria Constabulary. His case did not involve sex workers.

But District Judge Gerald Chalk told the defendant: “You have had inappropriate relationships with girls between 2012 and 2019 so why should I not make the order?”

The defendant argued that there was no need to make the order because of other ongoing legal proceedings but District Judge Chalk told him: “I am making an indefinite order.” His order prohibits not physical or electronic contact with girls aged under 18.

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The defendant, from Carlisle, is currently being held at Durham Prison.

Commenting on the orders, Detective Inspector Andy Teasdale said: “The successful application for a Sexual Risk Order to be imposed against an individual is a helpful tactic in efforts to prevent incidents and restrict the actions of those who present risk of sexual harm to others.

“The orders are often bespoke to an individual’s behavioural pattern and will prohibit them from engaging in actions detailed within their order. It also means that an offender must abide by certain notification requirements meaning officers are able to manage risk effectively.

“Failure to comply with an order will be viewed as a criminal offence, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

“Individuals will be subjected to active risk management by specialist officers within the Constabulary’s MOSOVO Unit (Management Of Sex Offenders and Violent Offenders). MOSOVO is a specialist unit within the police that is dedicated to managing risk posed by the most high-risk offenders living in our community.

“There is never an excuse for anyone to be subjected to any form of harm or harassment, which includes an individual’s choice of occupation. We do not discriminate against those who work in the sex industry, they will be treated the same as any other member of the public and afforded appropriate safeguarding.”