ETHAN EVANS TORQUAY SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AFTER BREACHING COURT ORDERS IN DEVON

In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of convicted sex offenders, Ethan Evans, aged 28, of Union Street, Torquay, has been sentenced to a total of five years in prison following a series of serious breaches of court-imposed restrictions and possession of indecent images of children.

Evans's criminal history is extensive and troubling. His previous convictions include a four-year prison sentence in 2002 for indecently assaulting a young boy. Since then, he has repeatedly violated court orders designed to protect the public, particularly children, from potential harm. His latest violations occurred in 2010, a year marked by multiple breaches and violations of legal restrictions.

At Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Evans had been subject to a lifetime Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) issued by a court in Leeds in June 2010. This order explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children. Despite this, Evans was found to have been meeting women with children while living in Dawlish Warren, which is in close proximity to Torquay. The court heard that Evans had been 'over-affectionate' with some of these children, raising serious concerns about his conduct and intentions. Prosecutor David Sapiecha emphasized that Evans had failed to notify police about his change of address and was using a different name to meet women, thereby deliberately circumventing the restrictions placed upon him.

Further investigation uncovered that Evans had been in possession of numerous indecent images of children. During a routine police check on his activities, officers discovered these images stored on his laptop. Additional images were found on a computer that Evans had attempted to destroy, indicating an effort to conceal his activities. The images ranged in severity, with most classified as Level 1 and 2 on the seriousness scale, but notably, five images were classified as Level 4, indicating a higher degree of severity.

In court, Evans admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of failing to comply with the sex offences register and four breaches of his SOPO. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possessing indecent images, and two other related offences, which were taken into consideration during sentencing. Recorder David Bartlett sentenced Evans to two years in prison for the breaches and violations, and an additional 18 months for the indecent images offences, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the risk posed to the community.

Overall, Evans's case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in monitoring and managing convicted sex offenders, especially those with a history of non-compliance and possession of illegal material. His imprisonment aims to protect the public, particularly vulnerable children, from further harm and to serve as a reminder of the importance of strict enforcement of court orders in safeguarding community safety.