CHRISTOPHER HYDE FROM GATESHEAD JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCE BREACHES AND DECEPTION

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Gateshead, a man named Christopher Hyde has been sentenced to four months in prison for violating a sexual offences prevention order. The case came to light after Hyde, who was previously convicted of a serious sexual assault, moved into a family home under false pretenses, raising serious concerns about the safety of children in the area.

Hyde, aged 23 and formerly residing at Sir Godfrey Thomson Court in Felling, Gateshead, had a troubling criminal history. In December 2004, he was convicted of indecently assaulting a nine-year-old boy. As part of his sentence, Hyde was subjected to a community rehabilitation order and was required to register as a sex offender for five years. Despite these restrictions, Hyde’s past continued to cast a shadow over his actions.

In April 2007, Hyde appeared again in court after being caught engaging in public indecency by having sex with his then-girlfriend in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, in view of children and passersby. This incident further highlighted his ongoing issues with adhering to legal restrictions. It was during this period that police discovered Hyde had been babysitting for a local family, which led to the imposition of a sexual offences prevention order. One of the key conditions of this order was that Hyde was not permitted to enter or reside in any household where children under the age of 16 were present.

Despite these restrictions, Hyde was found to have violated the order. Between October 2005 and January of this year, he was living in a bail hostel but was expelled after failing to make efforts to secure his own accommodation. Police were then alerted when Hyde provided false information about his whereabouts, claiming he was staying at addresses in South Shields. In reality, he was residing with a gay partner in Gateshead, who lived with a young family, including two daughters aged two and three.

The mother of the children in the household grew suspicious and decided to investigate further. During her search of Hyde’s room, she uncovered documents that revealed he had lied about his identity and his criminal past. This discovery confirmed that Hyde had breached the terms of his sexual offences prevention order and failed to notify authorities of his change of address.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Guy Whitburn addressed Hyde directly, emphasizing the gravity of his violations. He stated, “When the mother found out, she was absolutely horrified that you were not who you said you were. If you are a danger to anyone, you are a danger to young boys and young men rather than little girls. But you must keep to the terms of the order.”

Hyde pleaded guilty to two charges: failing to notify a change of address and breaching the sexual offences prevention order. His actions have raised serious concerns about the safety of children in the Gateshead area, especially given his history and the circumstances of his recent violations. The case underscores the importance of strict enforcement of sex offender restrictions and vigilant community oversight to protect vulnerable individuals from potential harm.