DAVID BRADSHAW ROOKLEY ISLE OF WIGHT PAEDOPHILE FLAUNTS SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER

In April 2023, a serious breach of the law involving a convicted sex offender from Rookley on the Isle of Wight came to light, highlighting ongoing concerns about compliance and public safety. David Mark Bradshaw, a man with a troubling criminal history, was found to have violated the strict conditions of the Sex Offenders' Register by neglecting to inform authorities about a change in his banking details, a requirement that is part of his ongoing monitoring and supervision.

Bradshaw, who resides on Dolcroft Road in Rookley, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday, April 14, to face sentencing for this breach. Prosecutor Liz Miller outlined that Bradshaw is classified as a 'medium risk' sexual offender, a designation based on his previous conviction for possessing nearly 35,000 indecent images of children, ranging from the most severe category A to category C. His criminal record also includes a prior conviction from approximately three years earlier, which involved the possession of child abuse images.

According to Ms. Miller, Bradshaw had a bank card that expired in July, but he only received his new card on October 5. Despite this, he failed to notify the police of his new debit card details until November, well outside the three-day notification window mandated by his conditions. This oversight was considered a breach of his legal obligations under the Sex Offenders' Register requirements.

In addition to the notification failure, Bradshaw's criminal history is extensive. He was convicted nearly three years ago for possessing a vast collection of child abuse images, which prompted his placement on the register for ten years. His previous offences also included making indecent images of children, with police discovering the images after a routine computer repair. Staff at the repair shop uncovered a hidden folder on his laptop containing thousands of images, which led to his arrest.

During the April hearing, the court was informed that Bradshaw, aged 67, was handed a 26-week suspended sentence. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay costs amounting to £300, and a surcharge of £154. The sentence was suspended, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offences.

Earlier, in May 2021, Bradshaw had already been sentenced to an 18-month community order, which included a requirement to undertake a thinking skills programme. This was part of his punishment for failing to register his details with police as required under his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Prosecutor Philip Allman explained that Bradshaw was five days late in registering at the police station, a breach of his obligation to do so annually. His previous conviction stemmed from a March 2020 court appearance, where he was found in possession of nearly 35,000 indecent images of children. The images were discovered after police examined his laptop, which he had taken to a computer repair shop. The staff found a hidden folder containing thousands of images, many of which were linked to the username 'Dave the Hat.'

Judge Roger Hetherington sentenced Bradshaw to a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to be on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years. He was also placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and required to undertake 25 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, Bradshaw was ordered to pay court costs of £425 and a victim surcharge of £90.

Bradshaw's criminal activities and subsequent breaches underscore the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring sex offenders and ensuring compliance with legal obligations. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of laws designed to protect the public, especially vulnerable children, from exploitation and abuse.