A predatory fraudster who posed as a sportswear company boss to con women and teenage girls into modelling skimpy gym wear whilst secretly filming them has been exposed after trying to claim his convictions were “spent”.
Curtis Arnold, 36, now using the alias Daniel James Edwards or “DJE MEDIA”, targeted victims across London gyms by promising a fake “leggings modelling” job whilst recording intimate footage without consent.
The sex offender, who was jailed in 2019 for a string of vile crimes including fraud, voyeurism and making indecent images of a child, attempted to deny he remained under strict legal restrictions despite a decade-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Elaborate Three-Year Deception Snared Multiple Victims
Harrow Crown Court heard in 2019 that Arnold pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud, one count of voyeurism, one count of sexual coercion without consent and one count of making indecent images of a child.
The judge condemned Arnold’s “elaborate deception” which lasted over three years as he used a fake business and invented business partner to pressure victims into revealing poses.
Some victims were horrified to discover their intimate videos and photographs had been leaked online without their knowledge or consent.
One victim was just 17 years old when Arnold targeted her with his sick scheme, adding child exploitation to his catalogue of offences.
Prison Sentence and Lifelong Restrictions Imposed
Arnold was initially sentenced to 40 months imprisonment in 2019, later reduced to 34 months on appeal.
However, Her Honour Judge Dean imposed a stringent 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will remain in force until 2029, legally restricting his behaviour long after his release from custody.
The SHPO bans Arnold from owning or using devices with digital image storage unless specifically approved by police, preventing him from repeating his pattern of secretly recording victims.
He is also prohibited from installing encryption or data deletion software beyond basic device requirements, ensuring police can monitor his digital activity.
Lifelong Sex Offenders Register Status
Arnold must remain registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life due to the serious nature of his sexual offending.
Police retain the power to monitor him closely and demand strict compliance with all conditions at any time.
The lifelong registration requirement means Arnold will never be free from oversight by law enforcement authorities regardless of how much time passes since his convictions.
Fraudster’s Delusional Attempts to Deny Restrictions
When confronted about his ongoing legal obligations, Arnold bizarrely claimed his convictions were “spent” and attempted to deny he remained under restrictions.
However, the law is unambiguous on this point and Arnold’s protestations hold no legal weight.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains fully enforceable for its entire term regardless of whether underlying convictions become spent or custodial sentences are completed.
Clear Legal Framework Keeps Predator Under Control
Arnold’s decade-long SHPO stays firmly in place until February 2029, with no possibility of early termination unless he successfully applies to court.
The watchdog mechanisms built into the order ensure police maintain close supervision of his activities and can intervene immediately if he breaches conditions.
His mandatory lifelong registration as a sex offender means even after the SHPO expires in 2029, he will remain subject to monitoring and reporting requirements indefinitely.
Pattern of Predatory Behaviour Revealed
Arnold’s systematic targeting of women and girls at gyms demonstrates calculated predatory behaviour designed to exploit victims’ trust.
By posing as a legitimate sportswear company representative, he created a veneer of professionalism that lowered victims’ defences.
The promise of modelling work appealed to victims’ aspirations whilst the gym setting provided a ready supply of potential targets wearing the type of clothing he wanted to film.
Technology Used as Tool for Sexual Exploitation
The case highlights how sexual predators increasingly use technology and digital recording devices to victimise women and children.
Arnold’s secret filming of victims represented a gross violation of their privacy and bodily autonomy, with the footage potentially circulating online indefinitely.
The strict controls imposed on his use of devices with image storage capabilities reflect the court’s recognition that technology enabled his offending.
Impact on Victims Cannot Be Overstated
For victims who discovered their intimate images had been leaked online, the trauma extends far beyond the initial deception.
Once intimate footage appears on the internet, victims face the nightmarish prospect of it being shared repeatedly across platforms they cannot control.
The 17-year-old victim faces the particularly devastating reality that images of her as a child may continue circulating, potentially affecting her for decades.
Public Protection Remains Priority
The comprehensive restrictions imposed on Arnold demonstrate the criminal justice system’s commitment to protecting the public from predatory sex offenders.
The combination of imprisonment, a decade-long SHPO and lifelong sex offender registration creates multiple layers of supervision and control.
Arnold’s attempts to falsely claim his restrictions had ended show exactly why such robust oversight remains necessary.
As Arnold continues living under these court-imposed restrictions until 2029 and beyond, his case serves as a stark warning that sexual predators face long-term consequences that extend far beyond their prison sentences.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
