TERMINALLY ILL' EDEN VALLEY SEX OFFENDER FLOUTED 28-YEAR OLD ORDER
A TERMINALLY ill man convicted of rape 28 years ago was brought back to court in Carlisle for failing to comply with Sex Offender Register rules.Andrew Paul Clayton, 59, admitted the offence when he appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate court.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson told magistrates that the defendant was put on to the Sex Offender Register in 1997 after he was convicted of a rape offence.
Sex offender registration requires offenders to provide police with an annual update of their personal details.
"Mr Clayton completed his last annual notification on October 25, 2024," said Mrs Jackson.
"This meant that he had to complete his subsequent notification on October 25, 2025.
He failed to do this and was arrested on November 25, 2025.
He still had not completed his notification at that point, one month after he was required to do so.
The court heard that the defendant had previously flouted the terms of his sex offender registration, but this was 18 years ago in 2008.
His only other criminal history was a drink driving conviction in 2021.
The defendant, of Eden Court, Lazonby, was not legally represented.
From the dock of the court, he said: "I had a phone which was hacked numerous times.
I never missed signing on time; this was the only time I have missed it.
I am terminally ill; I have got COPD and I’m terminally ill." Lead magistrate Andrew Dale pointed out that the defendant had been living with the court order - his indefinite inclusion on the Sex Offender Register - for a long time and so he knew what his obligations were.
They imposed a £120 fine with a £114 victim surcharge, with £85 costs.
A 12-month community order includes 20 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.
