ANDREW OPIE FALMOUTH PAEDOPHILE FINALLY BEHIND BARS AFTER MULTIPLE COURT ABSENCES

In a development that has spanned over several court appearances, Andrew Opie, a known offender from Falmouth, has finally been detained and is now in custody following a series of missed court dates and procedural delays. The case, which has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the charges and the offender's repeated absences, reached a critical point last week.

Initially, Opie, aged 31 and of no fixed abode, was scheduled to be sentenced at Truro Crown Court. However, he failed to appear twice in the same week, prompting concern among the court officials and judges. The court was informed that Opie was experiencing Covid symptoms on the morning he was supposed to learn his sentence, leading Judge Robert Linford to order him to undergo a PCR test immediately. Despite this, Opie did not attend the court on the scheduled day, claiming he had not received his test results.

Judge Linford expressed skepticism about Opie’s claims and insisted that if the test results were negative, the offender must appear in court on the following Monday. When Opie finally appeared, it was revealed that he had tested negative for Covid-19. However, he cited transportation issues, specifically trouble arranging a lift to Truro, as the reason for his delayed attendance. Ultimately, Opie arrived at the court approximately two hours after the scheduled hearing time.

Due to the ongoing trial and time constraints, Judge Simon Carr stated that he did not have sufficient time to proceed with sentencing on that day. Fearing that Opie might again fail to appear, the judge remanded him into custody at HMP Exeter. The final sentencing was scheduled to take place either on the upcoming Friday or the following Tuesday, depending on the availability of legal counsel.

It is important to note that Andrew Opie has a criminal history linked to sexual offenses. He previously appeared at Truro Crown Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. These offenses occurred in Falmouth during 2018 and 2019, adding gravity to the ongoing legal proceedings.

The repeated absences and procedural delays highlight the challenges faced by the justice system in managing offenders who attempt to evade court appearances. With Opie now in custody, the case is expected to proceed to sentencing, bringing closure to a lengthy and troubling legal saga involving serious allegations of child sexual abuse in Falmouth.