CONVICTED RAPIST FAILS TO FOLLOW COURT ORDERS AGAIN
A man named Andrew William Thwaites has been involved in a legal case regarding his breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).Thwaites, who was previously convicted of a serious rape in 2002 and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, was found back in court after failing to disclose his relationship with a woman he met at a foodbank.
The court was informed that Thwaites was required to notify Cleveland Police before entering into a relationship, a condition he breached by not informing police about his new girlfriend.
Thwaites had met the woman at a foodbank on February 11 and started a sexual relationship with her, despite his prior convictions and the restrictions imposed by his SHPO.
When police checked his flat on February 26, the police found the woman there and quickly asked her to hide.
The officer noticed numerous clues indicating her presence, including false nails and female underwear, which led to the discovery of the relationship.
Thwaites claimed he had pawned his phone and could not notify police about the relationship, but when asked why he did not attend a police station, he had no answer.
He also falsely claimed the woman was not hiding, although police found her nearby, and she admitted she was hiding.
This incident is considered a breach of the SHPO, which, among other restrictions, prohibits him from being alone with a woman without notifying police.
Thwaites has previously breached his SHPO in 2017, resulting in a custodial sentence.
His solicitor argued that the most recent breach was not serious and indicated the woman was aware of Thwaites's sex offending and wanted to continue the relationship.
The court agreed to adjourn the sentencing for a pre-sentence report, and Thwaites was released on unconditional bail, with a court date set for March 28.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about Thwaites's compliance with restrictions due to his past offenses and breaches.
