DAVID ANTHONY FROM OLD SODBURY JAILED FOR REPEATEDLY BREACHING SEX OFFENCES ORDER IN YATE

In September 2010, David Anthony, a 61-year-old resident of Old Sodbury, was sentenced to four months in prison at Bristol Crown Court after being found guilty of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and engaging in conduct that recreated circumstances of previous sexual misconduct involving young boys.

Anthony’s violations centered around his activities at a farm near Yate, where he had previously committed offenses in 2003. Despite the restrictions imposed by his SOPO, which explicitly prohibited him from working in any capacity that would bring him into contact with children under the age of 16, Anthony repeatedly flouted these conditions.

The prosecution, led by Mark Humphries, detailed how Anthony had taken children fishing and sought permission from their parents for them to stay overnight at his residence. It was also revealed that he inquired whether the children were allowed to consume alcohol during these visits. Humphries emphasized that these actions suggested grooming behavior, indicating a pattern of manipulative conduct aimed at young boys.

Furthermore, the court heard that Anthony’s previous offenses involved similar activities. In 2003, he had taken young boys fishing and, during these trips, had asked them to remove their trousers as a pretext for touching them sexually. On some occasions, he had given the boys alcohol while they stayed at his house, and during one of these overnight stays, he sexually assaulted one of the boys while they were asleep.

The breach of the SOPO was particularly concerning because Anthony was found to have been working at the farm for some time, often left unsupervised with children under 16. The court was told that he had been on fishing trips with the boys and had allowed them to stay overnight at his home, actions explicitly forbidden by his court order.

Anthony’s arrest was carried out by an off-duty police officer who was aware of his previous convictions. The officer visited the farm and apprehended Anthony, who, at the time, was not in good health. During the proceedings, Anthony admitted to breaching the SOPO between July 1, 2009, and March 13, 2010.

In mitigation, lawyer John Stokes argued that the children involved in the recent case had not been subjected to sexual contact and that Anthony was only helping at the farm at the owner’s request. Stokes claimed that Anthony believed his actions were innocent and that he had no sexual motives.

However, Judge Carol Hagen dismissed these claims, stating, “I cannot accept that.” She emphasized that Anthony was fully aware of the restrictions imposed by his SOPO and had deliberately breached them by continuing to be present at the farm with young children.

Considering Anthony’s health issues, the judge sentenced him to four months in prison but also ordered that the conditions of his SOPO remain in effect indefinitely upon his release. Judge Hagen concluded by condemning Anthony’s actions as a clear and deliberate violation of court orders, highlighting the seriousness of his breaches and the potential risk posed to children.