JAMES DAVIES FROM ROSS-ON-WYE BANNED FROM CAR BOOT SALES IN HEREFORDSHIRE AFTER SEX OFFENDER ORDER
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Ross-on-Wye Child Sexual Abuser
In December 2001, a significant development occurred in Herefordshire's efforts to manage and restrict the activities of convicted sex offenders. James William Davies, a 59-year-old resident of Ross-on-Wye, was formally served with the county's first-ever Sex Offender Order, a civil injunction aimed at preventing him from engaging in activities that could pose a risk to children.
Davies, who has a long history of sexual offenses dating back to the 1960s, was specifically prohibited from attending car boot sales and any events where children might be present. The order, issued by magistrates in Hereford, is indefinite and also bans him from having any contact with individuals under the age of 16. This legal measure was taken after concerns arose about Davies's potential to re-offend, especially given his recent activities and history.
It is noteworthy that Davies is scheduled to be released from prison in the spring. However, in August of the same year, he was recalled to serve an additional four-year sentence after being caught selling sweets at a car boot sale—an activity that violated the conditions of his parole license. This breach prompted authorities to seek further restrictions on his movements and interactions.
The order was granted following a civil application brought by West Mercia Police. During the hearing, the chairman of the bench, David Barrow, emphasized the high risk of Davies re-offending. Penny Fishwick, representing the police, provided detailed background, revealing that Davies has accumulated seven separate convictions involving 22 sex offenses against children, predominantly boys, since 1964.
The most recent conviction was at Cardiff Crown Court in September 1998, where Davies admitted to indecency charges involving boys aged 11 to 13, whom he had targeted at car boot sales. After his release on license in December of the previous year, Davies registered his address in Hereford on the Sex Offender Register but subsequently moved to Ross-on-Wye without informing authorities, prompting a visit from Detective Constable Simon Davies, a 'management of risk' officer.
During this visit, authorities observed evidence suggesting ongoing suspicious activity. Detective Davies reported seeing 'carrier bags' filled with chocolates and children’s shoes in Davies’s flat, raising concerns about potential grooming behavior. Witnesses also testified that Davies had been selling sweets at car boot sales at Queenswood Garden Centre, Wellington, earlier in the year.
Despite maintaining that he had kept up with probation appointments, Davies did not participate in any sex offender treatment programs. Both police and probation officers expressed concern that Davies might be attempting to groom young victims through his involvement in car boot sales, which was a primary reason for seeking the court order.
During the hearing, Davies’s legal representative, Anthony Weston, challenged the evidence, questioning the accuracy of eyewitness accounts and the interpretation of anecdotal information. Davies himself denied the allegations, claiming that the sweets found in his flat were for personal use, the shoes were not children’s sizes, and that he had not attended any car boot sales because he was aware of the restrictions on his license.
Nevertheless, the magistrates, after considering the evidence, concluded that the risk of Davies re-offending was significant. The bench, led by Mr. Barrow, stated that the evidence suggested he might have been preparing to commit further offenses. Consequently, the court imposed the order, which explicitly prevents Davies from attending car boot sales, having contact with under-16s, or residing at any address where a young person is present. The order also prohibits him from participating in any activity, paid or unpaid, that could bring him into contact with children, reflecting the serious concern over his potential to re-offend.
Davies, who has a long history of sexual offenses dating back to the 1960s, was specifically prohibited from attending car boot sales and any events where children might be present. The order, issued by magistrates in Hereford, is indefinite and also bans him from having any contact with individuals under the age of 16. This legal measure was taken after concerns arose about Davies's potential to re-offend, especially given his recent activities and history.
It is noteworthy that Davies is scheduled to be released from prison in the spring. However, in August of the same year, he was recalled to serve an additional four-year sentence after being caught selling sweets at a car boot sale—an activity that violated the conditions of his parole license. This breach prompted authorities to seek further restrictions on his movements and interactions.
The order was granted following a civil application brought by West Mercia Police. During the hearing, the chairman of the bench, David Barrow, emphasized the high risk of Davies re-offending. Penny Fishwick, representing the police, provided detailed background, revealing that Davies has accumulated seven separate convictions involving 22 sex offenses against children, predominantly boys, since 1964.
The most recent conviction was at Cardiff Crown Court in September 1998, where Davies admitted to indecency charges involving boys aged 11 to 13, whom he had targeted at car boot sales. After his release on license in December of the previous year, Davies registered his address in Hereford on the Sex Offender Register but subsequently moved to Ross-on-Wye without informing authorities, prompting a visit from Detective Constable Simon Davies, a 'management of risk' officer.
During this visit, authorities observed evidence suggesting ongoing suspicious activity. Detective Davies reported seeing 'carrier bags' filled with chocolates and children’s shoes in Davies’s flat, raising concerns about potential grooming behavior. Witnesses also testified that Davies had been selling sweets at car boot sales at Queenswood Garden Centre, Wellington, earlier in the year.
Despite maintaining that he had kept up with probation appointments, Davies did not participate in any sex offender treatment programs. Both police and probation officers expressed concern that Davies might be attempting to groom young victims through his involvement in car boot sales, which was a primary reason for seeking the court order.
During the hearing, Davies’s legal representative, Anthony Weston, challenged the evidence, questioning the accuracy of eyewitness accounts and the interpretation of anecdotal information. Davies himself denied the allegations, claiming that the sweets found in his flat were for personal use, the shoes were not children’s sizes, and that he had not attended any car boot sales because he was aware of the restrictions on his license.
Nevertheless, the magistrates, after considering the evidence, concluded that the risk of Davies re-offending was significant. The bench, led by Mr. Barrow, stated that the evidence suggested he might have been preparing to commit further offenses. Consequently, the court imposed the order, which explicitly prevents Davies from attending car boot sales, having contact with under-16s, or residing at any address where a young person is present. The order also prohibits him from participating in any activity, paid or unpaid, that could bring him into contact with children, reflecting the serious concern over his potential to re-offend.