GARRY LOFTUS, THE SEX OFFENDER FROM BRIXHAM AND TORQUAY, JAILED FOR GROOMING TEIGNMOUTH CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers posed by individuals on the Sex Offenders Register, Garry Loftus, a 64-year-old man now residing in Brixham, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple breaches of his legal restrictions and engaging in inappropriate conduct involving children in Teignmouth.

Loftus, who has a history as a registered sex offender, had previously been subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that explicitly prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with minors. Despite this, he managed to ingratiate himself with a local family, befriending them and gaining their trust without disclosing his criminal background. His actions came to light when authorities became suspicious of his interactions with the family, prompting an investigation that revealed his violations.

During the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Peter Johnson condemned Loftus for his repeated breaches of the SOPO. The court heard that Loftus had stayed in the same house as a girl aged 13 and a boy aged 11, and had bought them chocolates and ice creams, as well as doing similar acts for children living next door. The parents of these children, who operated a business in Teignmouth, were unaware of Loftus’s past and his status as a sex offender. They had trusted him enough to allow him to perform odd jobs around their home, including helping them move house and assisting with preparations for a car boot sale.

Prosecutor Miss Emily Pitts explained that Loftus had also sat in the back of the mother’s car when she picked up the children from school, further establishing his inappropriate involvement. The parents expressed their shock and regret, stating that if they had known about his criminal record, they would never have permitted him to have any contact with their children.

Loftus’s conduct was characterized by the court as a ‘patient grooming strategy,’ a term used in a risk assessment to describe manipulative behavior aimed at establishing trust with children. This was particularly concerning given that this was his third breach of the SOPO, indicating a pattern of risky and predatory behavior.

In his defense, Loftus admitted to two counts of breaching the SOPO and one count of breaching the Sex Offenders Register. The judge acknowledged that although Loftus did not have unsupervised contact with the children, his actions demonstrated a clear violation of the court’s orders and a calculated attempt to re-establish contact with minors. Judge Johnson sentenced him to one year in prison, emphasizing that Loftus had been given previous chances, including a suspended sentence, but continued to disregard the restrictions placed upon him.

As Loftus was led away to serve his sentence, the case served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially when they manage to re-enter communities under the guise of normalcy.