DEREK HOWARD SENTENCED IN KILMARNOCK FOR US FLIGHT VIOLATION AND SEX OFFENCES

A well-known sex offender from Kilmarnock has been handed a prison sentence after traveling to the United States without informing the authorities, breaching the strict conditions of his registration. Derek Howard, who was listed on the sex offenders’ register as recently as the previous year, made the decision to fly abroad despite his legal obligation to notify police of any travel plans at least ten days in advance.

Howard’s departure was not only a violation of the law but also a serious breach of public safety protocols. He was subsequently detained in the United States, where American authorities arrested him. Following his arrest, Howard was deported back to the United Kingdom, where he appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court from custody to face the charges.

In October of the previous year, Howard had pleaded guilty to multiple serious offences, including sending sexually explicit messages online to a girl he believed to be only 15 years old. Additionally, he was found to possess indecent and extreme pornographic images, further highlighting the severity of his misconduct. His actions were initially uncovered by a paedophile hunter group in December 2017, which brought his illegal activities to light.

Most recently, Howard admitted to failing to notify police of his planned departure to the US in April, a clear violation of the rules governing sex offenders’ registration. The law mandates that individuals in his position must give a minimum of ten days’ notice before traveling abroad, a requirement he neglected to fulfill. His legal representative explained that the flight details were obtained from travel agents and that Howard had intended to return to the UK in May. The lawyer added, “He knows it was stupid and it’s something which he now regrets doing.”

Howard was arrested on May 14 in the United States, where he cooperated fully with authorities. Following his cooperation, he was deported back to the UK and has been in custody ever since. A report submitted to the court emphasized that his failure to comply with registration conditions increased the risk he posed to the public.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Alastair Watson condemned Howard’s conduct as a “flagrant breach” of public protection measures. The sheriff pointed out that Howard had booked his US flight shortly after meeting with police regarding his registration obligations, which he described as a reckless and irresponsible act. As a result, Howard was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Upon release, he will remain on the sex offenders’ register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with legal restrictions.