HARTLEPOOL SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AFTER THREATS AND POLICE ASSAULT
Gary Barnstaple, a sex offender, was involved in threatening a police officer and sending menacing messages, despite being under a suspended sentence.He was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, in March last year for breaching registration requirements by going on a secret cruise to Spain, which included stops in Malaga, Majorca, Alicante, and Barcelona.
Barnstaple, now 64, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely in November 2017 after being convicted of indecently assaulting a female under 16, resulting in a 33-month jail term.
In November 2023, a Claire’s Law application revealed that he had traveled abroad without disclosing this, as he had not registered his passport or foreign travel plans.
Following this, police arrested him for breaching sex offender registration laws, and he subsequently assaulted an officer when approached at his home in Flint Walk, Throston, Hartlepool.
Barnstaple pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications on April 22 last year, and to assaulting the police officer two days later, as well as breaching the sex offenders’ register by failing to confirm his address upon release from prison.
The court sentenced him to six months in custody, with the time served on remand counting towards this.
The judge also fined him £250, ordered him to pay costs of £250, and complete 35 hours of unpaid work.
Barnstaple stated he was on benefits and would pay weekly over a year.
The judge commented on his obsession and temper: “You made a threat to kill which, even if it was made recklessly, was taken seriously.
She notified the police about it.
You have become quite obsessive about these police officers.
You have allowed it to get under your skin and lost your temper that day.
You did the same thing when police officers came around.
You are your own worst enemy.”
