Man who has to give police 24 hours' notice before having sex says his life is like a 'virtual prison'

The single man in his 40s is also not allowed to use any internet-enabled device that cannot be checked by police

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A man who must inform police 24 hours before he plans to have sex has said his life is like a "virtual prison".

Speaking outside York Magistrates’ Court after an adjourned hearing, he told reporters the requirement "puts an end to your life" and meant he had "no prospect" of a relationship.

The single man in his 40s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of rape in a trial last year.

He is currently under a Sexual Risk Order (SRO), which obliges him to inform police 24 hours before he has sex with a new partner.

"It's so unjust, there is not a conviction to my name ‒ one allegation, acquitted and they can still shut you down," he said.

"They can create this virtual prison."

An SRO can be made for an individual who has not been convicted or cautioned for any offence, but who is thought to pose a risk of harm to the public.

The order lasts for two years and can prohibit the person under it from carrying out specific acts.

The interim order, initially imposed in December 2015, states: "You must disclose the details of any female including her name, address and date of birth.

"You must do this at least 24 hours prior to any sexual activity taking place."

The man accused police of using "sour grapes" tactics.

"The police, if they lose in court, are using these Sexual Risk Orders as a tool, by stealth," he said. "The standards of proof are so much lower. You don't even have to break the law."

The man was in court after failing to give the police the access code to his phone – another condition of his SRO.

He is not supposed to use any internet-enabled device that cannot be later checked by police, but said he decided not to give them the code as a point of principle.

According to the man, the terms of an SRO were supposed to be prohibitive, not obligatory.

He was arrested and held in police custody overnight.

When asked about the prospect of a relationship, he said the disclosure process would be "horrendous".

He gave the example of telling a potential new partner: "There's a nice French restaurant I'd like to take you to, but first the police are just going to come around for a little chat.

"Knock, knock, knock, this is the police, [Mr X] is subject to a Sexual Risk Order and is considered to be potentially dangerous […] Then they leave."

According to The Telegraph, the man is a father of two and works in IT.

He was cleared of rape last year during a retrial in which he admitted to previously having an interest in sado-masochistic sex and said he used to visit a fetish club with a different ex-partner.

He had been accused of biting and scratching the complainant, although he insisted the scratching came during a massage, “post-coitally”, and that there was no biting.

"Thank god Fifty Shades of Grey came out when it did, it helped my barrister normalise that," he said.

The Independent has contacted North Yorkshire Police for comment.