DAMIEN WRIGHT'S CRIMINAL PAST IN YEOVIL: PAEDOPHILE'S REIGN OF DECEPTION AND DANGER

In July 2008, a distressing incident unfolded in Yeovil involving Damien Terrence Wright, a man with a troubling criminal history, who managed to remain undetected while staying in the home of a local mother, Ann, and her children. Ann, a mother of three, had no inkling of Wright’s past when she allowed him to sleep on her sofa in her residence on Charles Road, Yeovil. Her decision was made out of kindness and a desire to help a friend of a friend, unaware of the danger that lurked behind Wright’s seemingly benign presence.

Wright, aged 30 at the time, had previously been convicted of sexual offenses, including indecent assault on a four-year-old girl in 1997. Despite this, he was released from prison on June 9, 2008, after breaching the terms of his sexual offences prevention order. The order had been imposed following his earlier conviction but had expired by the time he reoffended. An interim sexual offences order was subsequently put in place when he was found to have breached the conditions again, leading to his arrest.

During his stay at Ann’s home, Wright even took two of her children out for lunch at Pizza Hut, an activity he was explicitly prohibited from doing under the terms of his interim order. Ann recounted her surprise upon discovering his criminal background, stating she had no idea he was a convicted sex offender. She explained that her initial intention was merely to do a favor for a friend, offering him temporary accommodation for a few days. However, Wright refused to leave when asked, prolonging his stay and raising concerns about her children’s safety.

Wright’s presence in the neighborhood did not end with his departure. Ann reported that after he left, he continued to hang around her property, driving up and loitering in her garden every night. This unsettling behavior prompted her to contact the police. On a Friday morning, two officers arrived at her home, asking if she knew Wright. It was then that she was informed of his true identity and criminal history. Ann expressed her regret, emphasizing her cautious attitude towards her children and her shock at having unknowingly exposed them to a known sex offender.

Wright’s criminal record and breaches of his sexual offences prevention order led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing. He admitted to three counts of breaching the order between June 9 and July 12, 2008, and was sentenced to five months in prison. His case drew attention to the importance of public awareness regarding sex offenders and the potential risks they pose.

In response to her ordeal, Ann, now 33, has joined forces with her mother, Violet, and a friend named Mel to advocate for greater transparency about sex offenders. They are campaigning for the implementation of a system similar to Megan’s Law in the United States, which mandates the public release of information about known sex offenders, including their names, photographs, and addresses. This initiative aims to prevent similar incidents and protect vulnerable children in the community.

Gareth Webb, representing Wright during his court hearing, explained that Wright had chosen to live with a friend of a friend for £30 a week, despite knowing about his past and the presence of children in the household. Webb emphasized that Wright’s decision was driven by the need for shelter, not malicious intent, but the court recognized the serious breach of safety involved in his actions and the risks posed to the community in Yeovil.