Man issued with Sexual Harm Prevention Order following threatening behaviour towards women

Police have secured a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) against a man who repeatedly posed a risk to women in the Cheltenham area.

Victor Valentine, aged 29 and of St Paul's in the town, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Monday (24 August) and was issued with a five-year order.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is a court-imposed order in the UK designed to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting the behaviour of individuals deemed to pose a risk.

Although Valentine has not been convicted of any sexual offences, the court heard how he is a self-proclaimed misogynist and member of an online incel group, with a history of unprovoked violence towards women in a public setting. He has also persistently breached the terms of numerous Civil Orders handed to him.

As a result of the SHPO, Valentine is now prohibited from:

1. Using any computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless:

• he has notified the police VISOR team within 3 days of the acquisition of any device;
• and he registers the device with the police VISOR team; and (iii) the device has the capacity to retain and display the history of internet use, is at all times set to retain the history of internet use, and no history of internet use is deleted;
• and the device has location data turned on at all times, and no location data is deleted;
• and he makes the device immediately available on request for inspection by a police officer, or police staff employee.

2. Owning or possessing more than one internet enabled device at all times
3. 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.
4. Entering, using or loitering near to any female public lavatory, changing room or female only space for any reason.

The order is in place until 25 August 2031 and Valentine faces arrest if any of the conditions are breached. He could also face a maximum of five years imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Paul Howell from the 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."