YEOVIL SEX OFFENDER WHO GOT GIRL, 15, PREGNANT HAS STARTED TO COMPLY WITH SENTENCE AND IS 'RARING TO GO'
A sex offender from Yeovil, who caused a 15-year-old girl to become pregnant, has finally begun to properly adhere to the conditions of his suspended prison sentence.Gavin McDonald-Creek, a resident of Yeovil (pictured), received a suspended prison sentence at Gloucester Crown Court in July but initially failed to follow the terms of his sentence.
He has now appeared again before the same court, and it was reported that he has "attended every single appointment" and is "ready to move forward." In October, Gloucester Crown Court was informed that he had not previously attended his supervision meetings as instructed.
Recently, a Gloucester judge remarked that it was encouraging to see he had listened and had started to comply.
Probation Service Officer Joanne Hall told Judge Ian Lawrie QC during the October hearing: “Probation is unable to supervise him.
We believe the risk he presents cannot be effectively managed in the community.” She explained that his failure to attend appointments was 'unacceptable for someone registered as a sex offender' given his ongoing 'frequent moving around the country.' “His attitude shows he is not taking this seriously, as evidenced by his non-compliance,” Ms Hall added.
She requested that the court activate his suspended sentence.
Despite this, Judge Lawrie QC chose not to follow that recommendation, instead telling McDonald-Creek: “I am giving you an opportunity to prove yourself.” He released him from custody, instructing that he must attend every scheduled appointment until the hearing, as reported by Gloucester Live.
The judge expressed his desire to see a 'model of compliance' from McDonald-Creek and warned him: “I am giving you this chance by the narrowest of margins.” On Friday, December 7, McDonald-Creek returned to have his breach dealt with by Judge Lawrie.
“The fact that he listened last time is a positive change,” the judge noted.
“I wanted to give him six weeks to demonstrate that he could do better.” He added that McDonald-Creek had “done so with some confidence,” suggesting he had become motivated.
The barrister involved stated that McDonald-Creek had met all the conditions set for him.
“He mentioned that your intervention was the motivating factor,” the barrister explained.
“For once, it has achieved everything we hoped for,” he added.
Judge Lawrie expressed satisfaction, noting: “This was an unusual case.” He acknowledged that McDonald-Creek might not have fully understood the criminal justice process initially but had now gained clarity.
Mr Coulter emphasized that an important part of helping his client understand was the period he spent in Bristol Prison, which was uncomfortable.
While continuing his order and imposing a six-week curfew as a penalty for the breach, the judge cautioned McDonald-Creek: “You were fortunate on multiple fronts to receive that original order.” He explained that part of the sentence was meant to teach him important life lessons.
“Your initial compliance was poor, and it did not seem you were taking it seriously,” the judge observed.
However, he expressed strong approval of a letter from probation, stating: “I am very impressed with its contents.” McDonald-Creed was ordered to adhere to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for six weeks as punishment.
The judge concluded that he should work to maintain the progress he has made and also ordered him to pay £60 in court costs.
In July, McDonald-Creek was released after admitting to having sexual relations with a girl under the age of 16 in Gloucester several years earlier, when she was 15.
The crime was only discovered after a dispute on Facebook between his current wife and the victim.
During the initial sentencing, Judge Lawrie heard that McDonald-Creek began engaging in sexual activity with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she was 14.
Prosecutor Sam Jones told the court that the girl became pregnant before turning 15.
McDonald-Creek pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a minor.
