A Worcester man has been jailed for three years and eight months after admitting offences that included contacting a teenage girl on Snapchat and asking for sexual images, West Mercia Police have confirmed.
Offender breached existing court order
The 23-year-old, Jude Maruska of Lingmell Court, Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after admitting multiple offences. He was already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) issued in August 2024 following earlier convictions for requesting indecent images from children on social media.
Police say Maruska repeatedly breached the terms of that SHPO. During a routine visit by officers from the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team, Snapchat was found to be installed on his phone despite the order's prohibition on using applications that do not retain usage history. Subsequent analysis of the device revealed offending carried out between May and June in which he contacted a teenage girl and asked for sexual pictures. Officers also say there was a second girl he contacted.
Sentencing details
At court Maruska was convicted of two counts of breaching the SHPO and one count of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity (non-penetrative). His sentences were structured as follows:
- Two concurrent sentences of 20 months each for the SHPO breaches.
- A consecutive sentence of six months for causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15.
- Activation of a previously suspended sentence which added a further 18 months consecutively.
The cumulative effect brought Maruska’s total custodial term to 44 months (three years and eight months). The court also ordered confiscation of his mobile phone and imposed a victim surcharge of £228.
| Offence | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Breach of SHPO (two counts) | 20 months each (concurrent) |
| Causing/inciting a girl 13–15 (non-penetrative) | 6 months (consecutive) |
| Activation of suspended sentence | 18 months (consecutive) |
| Total custodial term | 44 months |
Police response and community protection
Detective Inspector Colin Berry, of the MOSOVO team, said the custodial sentence reflected ongoing concerns about the defendant’s behaviour and the effectiveness of monitoring. He stressed the team’s commitment to tracking those subject to such orders and ensuring they comply with court-imposed restrictions.
“We are pleased to get a custodial sentence for Maruska who continued to offend, breaching the terms of his SHPO and despite being on suspended sentence,”
He added the outcome demonstrates that officers will not hesitate to return offenders to court where monitoring identifies further offending.
For Worcester residents the case underlines the role of local policing teams in both enforcement and safeguarding. The MOSOVO team’s routine visits and device checks remain a key tool in preventing further harm where sexual offenders are subject to restrictions.
Wider context
Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are commonly used to place specific limits on behaviour — including the use of certain technology — when courts are satisfied such steps are necessary to protect the public. Breach of an SHPO is a criminal offence and can trigger immediate court action and custodial sentences, as this case illustrates.
Anyone in Worcester with concerns about online sexual behaviour involving children is urged to contact West Mercia Police or to report information via official channels. Support is also available for victims through local victim services and national helplines.
This sentence will be seen by many here as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with digital access and the active role police play in enforcing court orders designed to protect children and communities.
