ANTHONY PYLE EXETER SEX OFFENDER BUSTED NEAR MYRTLE ROAD IN EXETER

In June 2015, a significant legal development unfolded involving Anthony Pyle, a known sex offender residing in Exeter. The case drew considerable attention when a judge ordered that local parents be advised to keep their children away from Pyle, following his recent acquittal on charges related to attempting to communicate with minors near his residence.

During proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, Pyle, aged 52 and living on Myrtle Road, expressed visible relief and celebration upon hearing the jury foreman declare him not guilty of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The incident in question involved allegations that Pyle had tried to speak to two boys in Myrtle Road last year, an act that would have violated the restrictions imposed by his SOPO.

The charges stemmed from a neighbor's footage captured last year, which showed Pyle walking away from two boys after engaging in conversation with them. The footage, filmed by residents Rebecca Bradbury and McCauley McNenemy, included audio where Mr. McNenemy can be heard warning Pyle, saying, 'you know you aren’t allowed to talk to kids.'

Following the filming, a tense confrontation ensued between Pyle and Mr. McNenemy. Pyle reportedly crouched in a manner reminiscent of a Sumo wrestler, and during the altercation, Mr. McNenemy allegedly broke a bottle of vodka that Pyle had been carrying. Despite the incident, Pyle maintained his innocence, asserting that the two boys had approached him and that he had told them he was not permitted to speak to children and was simply walking away.

Pyle also claimed that some local children were aware of his SOPO and would taunt him by engaging him in conversation or asking for money in the street. The judge, Alan Large, after acquitting Pyle, emphasized the importance of community awareness. He urged police to communicate with parents in the area to prevent further misunderstandings and to ensure that children are aware of Pyle’s legal restrictions. Judge Large stated, 'There is an issue in the community. Pyle is someone who likes to talk to people. He engaged me in conversation as I was coming back from lunch. People in the area in which he lives need to know he is under the order so they can tell their children not to speak to him. Everyone needs to know where they stand.'

Earlier, in August 2010, Pyle had already been involved in legal proceedings related to breaching a court order. At that time, he, a 46-year-old resident near Cowick Street in Exeter, admitted to talking to children, which was a violation of his SOPO. He faced trial at Exeter Crown Court for multiple breaches, including talking to minors under 16. Pyle had previously pleaded guilty to a separate incident in September 2008, where he drunkenly hugged and kissed a 14-year-old girl without her consent while walking through the St Thomas area of Exeter.

Following his guilty plea, Pyle was sentenced to nine months in prison last year. The court had previously imposed a SOPO on him, which prohibited him from contacting children without parental consent and required him to register as a sex offender. During the 2010 hearing, Judge James Tabor QC noted that the legal guidelines suggested Pyle would likely receive a similar sentence regardless of whether he was convicted on one or multiple charges. Concerns about Pyle’s mental health and the impact on young witnesses giving evidence were also discussed. The Crown Prosecutor, Nigel Wraith, later decided to have the remaining charges against Pyle formally left on file, a decision acknowledged by Judge Tabor as a rare but necessary procedural step given the circumstances.

Overall, the case highlights ongoing community concerns regarding Pyle’s presence and behavior in Exeter, especially in the Myrtle Road area, and underscores the importance of community awareness and vigilance in safeguarding children from known offenders.