BRADLEY WARNER AND SHOCKING ONLINE SEX OFFENSES IN WARWICK

A man registered as a sex offender has been sentenced to prison after violating a court order by engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with individuals he believed to be 14-year-old girls. Bradley Warner, aged 26, residing on Warwick Road in Kenilworth, was sentenced to 26 months in prison following a thorough investigation conducted by the South Warwickshire Police Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU).

The illicit conversations reportedly occurred in September, and the police were alerted to the activity the very next day. Warner was swiftly arrested in connection with the case. This incident comes after Warner had previously been convicted of online child sex offenses last year, for which he received a community order. As part of his sentencing, Warner was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), a legal restriction designed to prevent further offenses. The SHPO explicitly prohibited him from using the internet to contact anyone he knew or believed to be under the age of 16.

Detective Constable Ben Gadsdon, who is part of the SOMU, emphasized the seriousness of Warner’s actions and the failure of previous rehabilitative efforts. He stated, “Despite being given an opportunity to rehabilitate in the community ordered by a judge previously, Warner has shown himself incapable of changing his extremely concerning behaviour, even though being managed by police and probation. As a result, he will now spend time in jail where he will no longer present a risk to vulnerable people online and in the community. While in prison he can seek the help that he needs.”

The South Warwickshire SOMU is tasked with monitoring the behavior of registered sex offenders and ensuring compliance with the conditions set out in their SHPOs. Their work is often behind the scenes but is crucial in safeguarding the community from high-risk offenders. The team’s efforts help to keep a close watch on individuals who pose significant dangers, especially in a community like Warwick.

Detective Inspector Katie Reynolds from the RSOMU added, “It understandably makes local people feel uncomfortable that there are sex offenders living in our communities, but the reality is that if offenders do not get a jail sentence or when they are released from prison they need to live somewhere. Our job is to make sure this happens while minimising the risk of them reoffending. And if they do reoffend, we need to make sure we act promptly to arrest them.”

In Warwickshire, many individuals convicted of sexual offenses are now subject to SHPOs, which are tailored to the specifics of their crimes. For example, those convicted of accessing indecent images of children face restrictions on their use of electronic devices, while individuals convicted of contact offenses with minors are restricted in their interactions with children. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable members of the community and prevent further harm.