ANDREW MOORE FREED AFTER APPEAL IN NEW BARNET SEX OFFENDER CASE

In a recent development that has sparked concern among local residents and authorities, Andrew Moore, a known sex offender from New Barnet, has been released from custody following an appeal that overturned his original sentence. Moore, aged 48 and residing on Albury Ride in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was initially apprehended during a police operation targeting a series of assaults on schoolgirls across Enfield, Barnet, and Haringey.

On February 4 of the previous year, Moore was caught in a compromising situation at a bus stop in New Barnet. He was observed by a young woman police officer, who was undercover and dressed in a school uniform, as he engaged in masturbation. This incident was part of a broader effort by law enforcement to curb a disturbing pattern of sexual offenses involving minors in the area.

Further investigation revealed that Moore possessed child sexual abuse material on his computer and exhibited a disturbing preoccupation with pre-teen girls. His criminal activities led to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. At Wood Green Crown Court on May 13, last year, Moore pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child, along with 18 counts of producing indecent photographs of children. The court sentenced him to an indefinite prison term under the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) scheme, which is akin to a life sentence due to its indefinite nature.

Initially, Moore was ordered to serve a minimum of two and a half years before he could be considered for parole. However, this sentence was challenged on appeal. The Court of Appeal, comprising Lord Justice Pill, Mr. Justice Owen, and Judge Andrew Patience QC, reviewed the case and ultimately decided to quash the original IPP sentence. Instead, they imposed a fixed-term sentence of 20 months, effectively allowing Moore to be released after serving his time.

The judges expressed their view that the original sentence was