Profile on dating site lands man in prison

A Southland man’s mother put his cellphone into a glass of water because she was not happy about him having it, a court was told.

Hamish James Dixon-Heads, 27, of Mataura, who was banned from accessing the internet for 10 years as part of an extensive supervision order, was sentenced in the Gore District Court on Wednesday on two charges of breaching that order.

The charges were laid after the Department of Corrections was sent screenshots of a Tinder profile with Dixon-Heads’ name and photo on it, the court was told.

He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Judge John BrandtsGiesen told him if he continued to breach his supervision conditions, his stays in prison would get longer.

‘‘The more often you breach the rules, the longer the sentences will be. And if you commit any more, the sentences may be racked up,’’ the judge said.

The judge did not elaborate on what Dixon-Heads was originally sentenced for, but noted he had breached his supervision conditions in 2017 and was jailed at that time.

Dixon-Heads is banned from accessing the internet, or owning an electronic device, until 2027.

The summary of facts, which was read to the court, said Community Corrections was sent screenshots of a Tinder profile with the name Hamish and three photos that appeared to be selfies, on January 28, 2021.

When asked about having profile on the dating website, Dixon-Heads stated he did not have one.

On February 2, Dixon-Heads admitted to having a mobile phone. The phone was unable to be turned on because it had been placed in water at some stage prior to the interview with Community Corrections.

When questioned, Dixon-Heads said he had bought the phone at Noel Leeming in Gore in mid to late 2020, the summary of facts said.