My SHPO was close to being refused on my first day, but my barrister managed to convince her to allow me to give more evidence, which in turn allowed the barrister to get a new judge.

Make sure there is absolutely nothing that they can criticise you on in court, however minor you think this maybe and even if they have told you it is acceptable previously.

My SHPO discharge request was refused by the judge due to some porn visits being found on my phone. I have been repeatedly told before and after my SHPO discharge that I am allowed to view porn but as soon as it was mentioned in court the case started to turn against me.  

I have decided to live with the SHPO now, I was sure that getting it discharged and my conviction spent would give me more opportunities. However I think it being refused has made me work harder to get where I want in life, in the 7 months since the discharge was refused I have achieved so much achieving things I thought I could only do it my conviction was spent. 

For me the sor is only a bureaucratic mild inconvenience, I hope to end my SHPO after 5 years so my sentences becomes spent. 

Hi
As most who have read my posts will know I have been challenging when the clock for the SOR discharge starts.
First it does start from when you first register at a Police station, normally within 3 days of being convicted. This would start the clock for when you can apply to come off if applicable
If an individual is sentenced and they go inside on the same day they are convicted; they will have to register - at a Police station - within 3 days of being released and so the clock starts.
If as in my case, they are convicted but not sentenced for circa 11 months, I signed on at the local Police Station within 3 days of the date I was convicted ie pleaded guilty. When I was sentenced and went inside, the "clock" paused until the day I was released, and then started again.

My case I suspect is unusual and I spent many years discussing this subject with my many OMs. 
If you check the Guidance on Part 2 of the sex offenders act you will see plenty of info on what is called "the Relevant date".
There are a couple of good examples under that heading that do clarify common questions.

If I can help further in how I removed my SOPO early see some of my old posts or ask.

Best bit advice though is do not focus on the end date but what you are doing now to gain the trust of all and any, and so make it an easier discharge decision.



Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
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This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.

The time on the SOR starts from the date of conviction, but specifically excludes any time spent in custody and time spent abroad. It's all here, with "relevant date" defined here.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Time on the SOR starts from the date you plead guilty at the magistrates, but the SHPO usually starts on the day of sentencing. Those two days could be the same if you are sentenced by magistrates on the same day you plead guilty. But since most go to the Crown court for sentencing, there is commonly a delay of a month or more.

On the question of whether to hire a solicitor,it is not necessary, but probably does help when it comes to presenting your arguments in the right way. On the other hand, a judge may give you some credit for doing it all yourself.

I had mine discharged in 2024 while I was 7 years into my 10 year SHPO, I applied at the end of 2022 but resent my application a few months later which was when I was told my initial application was not received. Likely because of the Christmas holidays
The judge agreed that the SHPO was disproportionate and was the cause effecting my ability to change my circumstances (finding work and training)
I actually thought things would be better once the SHPO had been discharged, in some areas yes but over all on the job front, remains the same. But this is just down to my experience, the time gap in my work history I think is effecting my success in finding work.

When I was brought before the magistrates and advised to plead guilty, I likely should have been given a SHPO from that point forward. But it never happened, I have read a few posts on the forums where some have stated as soon as they plead guilty, a SHPO was handed to them. I wasn't given a SHPO until Oct when I was sentenced.
SHPOs should be dated when given anyway, so what ever the date is on yours will be date it started from. If you are unsure though, instead of pursuing a discharge on the 5 year mark, try on the 6th year

It is only possible to apply to discharge a SHPO with the permission of the police in the first five years. I've never heard of such approval being given. After five years, somebody does not need permission to apply. This five years is from the 'operational date' of the SHPO - so will be the date the order was issued - usually the date of sentencing.

Individuals can apply for the early ending of the indefinite notification requirement. Such an application can only be made 15 years after the first 'qualifying notification', or 8 years if the individual was under 18 when they became subject to the notification requirements. The clock doesn't tick for any time you spend in custody serving a sentence for the offence which gave rise to the notification requirement. This means that, in effect, if somebody does go on to receive a custodial sentence for the offence having spent time on bail and 'signing on', that time prior to their imprisonment is discounted and the period starts from the first notification an individual makes after release. The guidance (GUIDANCE ON REVIEW OF INDEFINITE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 91F OF THE SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2003 V3) does not mention explicitly that time spent abroad should be disregarded, but I have heard anecdotally that some police forces seem to take this position.

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All views, opinions & contributions are my own and do not represent the views of Unlock unless specifically stated.

Also, if anyone has had success with either getting an SHPO discharged or being removed from the SOR, I guess it would be recommended to employ a good solicitor who has extensive experience of dealing with these issues, subject to being able to afford them, can anyone recommend anyone?