DARREN MCGUINESS CAUGHT IN CARLISLE: SEX OFFENDER'S SHOCKING BREACHES AT CHRISTMAS AND ONLINE

In a disturbing series of events that have raised serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of court orders, Darren McGuiness, a known sex offender from Carlisle, has once again found himself at the center of legal scrutiny. The latest incident occurred in April 2022, when McGuiness, aged 48 and residing in Fairfield Gardens, Carlisle, deliberately violated a court-imposed sexual harm prevention order by participating in a festive event that involved children.

Despite being under strict legal restrictions following his 2011 conviction for downloading indecent images of children, McGuiness took it upon himself to dress as Santa Claus and distribute presents to children during a church Christmas party he helped organize. This act was particularly alarming because it directly contravened the conditions of his court order, which was designed to prevent him from coming into contact with minors under the age of 16.

The breach was brought to light during proceedings at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, where McGuiness admitted to two violations of his court restrictions. Court documents revealed that on October 30, he had organized and attended a family Halloween gathering in Carlisle, and on December 18, he donned the Santa costume at a church Christmas event, engaging with children in a makeshift grotto. Both occasions involved children under 16, which he was legally prohibited from being around.

Prosecutor Malcolm Isherwood emphasized the gravity of McGuiness’s actions, stating, “He has, in the view of the Crown, deliberately placed himself in situations whereby he was going to come into contact with children under the age of those specified in the order [16 years].” The prosecutor further explained that McGuiness had started volunteering at a church community kitchen without disclosing his criminal history, and had actively participated in organizing both the Halloween and Christmas events, including playing the role of Santa Claus in the grotto.

District Judge John Temperley ordered the case to be transferred to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing, with McGuiness scheduled to appear on May 13. In the meantime, he was granted unconditional bail, allowing him to remain free pending the court’s decision.

In a separate but related case from January 2020, McGuiness, then aged 45, was found guilty of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by illegally using a computer that lacked police monitoring software. The court heard that McGuiness, of Fairfield Gardens, Carlisle, was subject to a strict order following his 2011 conviction for downloading indecent images of children. The order explicitly prohibited him from using any internet-connected device without police oversight.

On September 12 of that year, McGuiness attended an unemployed support group in Carlisle city centre. After he left, a staff member discovered that he had used the computer for purposes such as job searching, browsing Facebook, and researching caravan sites in Blackpool. This activity was a clear violation of his court order, which he had previously breached on four occasions.

His legal representative, Jeff Smith, argued that McGuiness had requested police assistance to help him use a computer without monitoring software, claiming his intentions were innocent—specifically, planning a caravan holiday in Blackpool for his birthday. Smith also highlighted the difficulties McGuiness faced in securing employment due to the stigma attached to his criminal record.

District Judge Gerald Chalk acknowledged the deliberate nature of the breach but noted there was no evidence to suggest the computer was used for inappropriate purposes. As a result, he sentenced McGuiness to 120 days in jail, suspended for a year, and ordered him to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work. Additional costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £120 were also imposed. The judge warned that any further offences within the next 12 months could result in the immediate imprisonment of McGuiness.

Further back in December 2011, McGuiness, then 37 and residing in Milton near Brampton, had admitted to breaching a court order by viewing adult pornography on his computer. This breach occurred just seven months after he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, which included over 100 indecent images of children. The court had previously prohibited him from accessing the internet without a secure monitoring program.

Police investigations revealed that McGuiness had been seen in public with a laptop between November 1 and December 8, 2011, despite the restrictions. His actions, including viewing adult pornography, were deemed a breach of the court’s order, further illustrating his ongoing disregard for legal restrictions and public safety measures.

Throughout his criminal history, McGuiness has demonstrated a pattern of breaching court orders and engaging in activities that pose significant risks to children and the community. His repeated violations underscore the challenges faced by the justice system in monitoring and rehabilitating offenders of this nature, raising ongoing concerns about community safety in Carlisle and beyond.